Hurt. Saudi Arabia's ambassador to Washington, Reema bint Bandar al-Saud, on Tuesday (30 January) expressed disappointment at recent criticism by tennis legends Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova of the Saudi money flowing into the sport. The legends, who each won 18 individual Grand Slam titles and have become a reference point in world tennis, wrote an op-ed in the Washington Post last week criticising the Women's Tennis Association for considering holding the WTA Finals in the Gulf kingdom. 

Where it will be held has yet to be decided. But they disagree that it should be in Saudi Arabia. They cited "gender inequality that remains deeply rooted in Saudi law" and other human rights concerns, including the criminalisation of LGBTQ people, as their arguments and reasons for criticism.

The Saudi ambassador, Reema bint Bandar al-Saud, posted a response on social media. She said she was "deeply hurt" by the article and that it overlooked recent progress for women in Saudi Arabia.
Navratilova and Evert "have turned their backs on the women they inspired and this is beyond disappointing," Princess Reema wrote.

Under Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, who became first in line to the throne in 2017, Saudi Arabia has lifted a ban on women driving, as well as rules on gender segregation in public and the wearing of abayas. 

In her response, Princess Reema wrote that women "own more than 300,000 businesses and about 25 percent of small and medium-sized emerging companies", which she said was comparable to the United States.

Sport is a key component of Prince Mohammed's Vision 2030 economic and social reform agenda. While some understand that the initiative has been denounced as an attempt to distract from human rights abuses, Princess Reema, the Saudi ambassador in Washington, said that she understands that it was "part of a comprehensive programme to be the best version of ourselves".

Sport is a major component of Prince Mohammed's Vision 2030 economic and social reform agenda. While some understand that the initiative has been denounced as an attempt to distract from human rights abuses, Princess Reema, the Saudi ambassador in Washington, said on Tuesday the opposite, as she understands that it was "part of a comprehensive programme to be the best version of ourselves".

"It's not about you. It is about us," she wrote in response. It is all about Saudi Arabia's attempt to host the best sporting competitions. Last year, the kingdom hosted its first ATP Tour event, the Next Gen ATP Finals in Jeddah, along with exhibition matches between Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz and Aryna Sabalenka against Ons Jabeur.

It was a success as the world's best players gathered there. In early January, Rafael Nadal, winner of 22 men's Grand Slam titles, was appointed ambassador of the Saudi Tennis Federation. 

The world's biggest oil exporter has also spent huge sums to attract star footballers. It is due to host the World Cup in 2034. It already hosts Formula One and some of the world's best heavyweight boxing matches have been and will be held in the country. 

One of them, in fact, will take place in Riyadh next month. It will be historic, as the heavyweight belts will be unified for the first time in 25 years. Tyson Fury and Oleksandr Usyk will step into the ring. And they have managed to attract the best golfers in the world.