Human Rights Watch informed the BBC in December that Saudi courts had convicted individuals for selling homosexuality on-line and added “LGBT individuals in Saudi Arabia should practise excessive self-censorship to outlive their every day lives”.
In response, Arij Almutabagani – the president of the Saudi Tennis Federation – mentioned homosexual gamers wouldn’t must act any otherwise to the best way they do in locations like Abu Dhabi and Dubai, the place WTA tournaments are already staged.
“Folks can behave the best way they wish to – there may be nothing that claims you’ll be able to otherwise you can’t behave. You simply have to know that each nation has its guidelines and traditions,” she mentioned.
“It is the identical factor that has occurred in Dubai. How do they act in Dubai? We’re the identical, we’re all neighbours. Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, UAE – how would the gamers behave there?”
WTA chief govt Steve Simon has mentioned representatives of the LGBTQ+ neighborhood had been included on fact-finding journeys to Saudi Arabia, earlier than the deal for the WTA Finals was concluded.
Tunisia’s world quantity 9 Ons Jabeur has additionally reiterated her assist for the Saudi Finals.
“As an Arab girl, I am very proud some issues are transferring there in Saudi,” she mentioned in Madrid.
“Like Princess Reema mentioned: you must come to Saudi, be there, and choose your self.
“For me, it at all times has been about possibilities, and going there not simply to play tennis matches however to make it possible particularly for younger ladies to see their position fashions and to consider that they will obtain something.”