Tennis champion and equality advocate Billie Jean King said she’s “glad” the WTA finals will happen in Cancún, Mexico, as an alternative of the Middle East.
“I’m glad they’re not going to Saudi Arabia right away because Saudi Arabia for girls is admittedly difficult,” King shared during Cadillac’s Champions of Equality panel with Christiane Amanpour, Venus Williams and Telva McGruder on the US Open on Thursday.
King, 79, said the “young people” of Saudi Arabia are fighting for change, but she believes female athletes shouldn’t play there unless there are improvements to women’s rights.
“We probably need some guarantees of change or we shouldn’t go,” King said.
“I’d personally prefer to help people there, particularly women.”
The famed athlete, who fought and won for equal prize money on the U.S. Open 50 years ago, acknowledged that ladies can “finally” drive now, but noted there must be greater changes for them and members of the LGBTQIA+ community.
“I believe there’s a craving within the hearts and minds of the people for change, and if we could possibly be an influencer in that to be more positive then I believe we must always go for it,” she said, “but when we cannot then I believe we now have to take a seat down and seriously discuss it.”
King, who presented the primary official U.S. Open Billie Jean King Champion of Equality Award to Williams, admitted she didn’t know if it was “possible” to create positive change, but encouraged people to “engage” in discussions.
The WTA announced Thursday that the 2023 Finals would happen in Cancún from Oct. 29 to Nov. 5 under a one-year agreement, ending all speculation that the tournament can be held in Saudi Arabia after the lads’s ATP Tour announced it will happen in Jeddah from 2023 to 2027.
“This edition of the WTA Finals will provide a incredible experience for players and fans alike, offer a fitting finale for the 2023 WTA Tour, and enable us to proceed constructing a robust future for girls’s tennis,” said Steve Simon, WTA chairman and CEO.
