Jabeur would fully support WTA Finals in Saudi Arabia.

Ons Jabeur of Tunisia said on Wednesday that she would fully support the Women's Tennis Association if it decides to move the prestigious WTA Finals to Saudi Arabia this year.

The debate over hosting the event in the Gulf country has heated up, particularly after tennis legends Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova voiced their opposition in the Washington Post in January.

"I think I'm the first player who would be supportive of going to Saudi," she told reporters at Indian Wells.

"The country is evolving. I know that other people have a different opinion, which is normal, but I've been there a couple of times and I've seen how amazing people are, how women are getting more and more rights."

"As a female tennis player I feel it's time to go there, it's time to give the opportunity to women who dream of being tennis players."

Human rights advocates praised the WTA for suspending tournaments in China due to concerns about the treatment of former doubles world number one Peng Shuai, and it risks upsetting those same activists by embracing Riyadh.

WTA chief Steve Simon previously said that no decision had been made regarding the 2024 Finals. He also stated last year that the kingdom presented "big issues," which are being discussed with various groups.

Saudi Arabia has made significant investments in sports such as football, Formula One, and golf over the past few years. However, critics accuse the country of using sports to conceal its poor human rights and equality issues.

Saudi Arabia denies accusations of human rights violations, claiming that its laws protect national security.

Last August, the men's ATP Tour announced a five-year agreement with Saudi Arabia to host the Next Gen Finals.

SportsLigue