Cameron Norrie has defended his decision to play at an exhibition in Saudi Arabia after the event was branded a ‘jamboree of Saudi sportswashing’ by Amnesty International.
The British No.1 has come under fire for accepting an invitation to play in Riyadh next month alongside stars such as Daniil Medvedev, Alexander Zverev, Dominic Thiem, Stan Wawrinka and Andrey Rublev.
It is all part of the Diriyah Tennis Cup - last played in 2019 and won by Medvedev - will consist of a total of 12 players competing for a $3 million prize fund and played at the Diriyah Arena, which is being purpose built at the ancient site of the Kingdom’s first capital, known as the home of kings and heroes.
But Norrie dismissed Amnesty International's call for him to use his appearance in Saudi Arabia to raise human rights issues.
The World No.14 said: "I’m not a politician and I don't feel it’s right for me to get involved with individual government politics. My job is to be a professional tennis player and this event in Saudi allows me to train with some of the best players in the world and to potentially win the Australian Open."
Recently, Saudi Arabia has staged Formula One races and big boxing matches as well as investing in Newcastle United and the LIV Golf tour - to much controversy.
But Felix Jakens, Amnesty International UK’s Head of Priority Campaigns, said: “We were never going to be telling people like Cameron Norrie where they should or shouldn’t play tennis, but by appearing in Diriyah, Cameron should realise he’s effectively being deliberately hired in to take part in the latest jamboree of Saudi sportswashing.
“Cameron has a big platform and genuine influence, and he should use this to show solidarity with people like Selma al-Shehab who are being cruelly persecuted in Saudi Arabia.
“Earlier this year, 81 people were executed in a single day in Saudi Arabia, we’ve recently seen Twitter users like the Leeds student Salma al-Shehab given huge jail sentences, and there’s been no accountability for the shocking murder of Jamal Khashoggi.
“What Saudi Arabia appears to look for with these competitions is a smiling high-profile sports star who will studiously avoid talking about human rights - Cameron should speak out.”
Previously, fellow Brit Andy Murray revealed he has turned down big money offers to play in Saudi Arabia because of the Kingdom’s appalling human rights record.
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