Casper Ruud is not among the players competing at the 2024 Six Kings Slam in Saudi Arabia, but he recently shared his opinion on the event.
Only a few months ago, Saudi Arabia's potential involvement in tennis was one of the most discussed topics. Now, a Six Kings Slam exhibition event is being held in the country, and the WTA Finals and NextGen ATP Finals will follow in the coming weeks.
The discussion disappeared, and all players are seemingly happy to compete in Saudi Arabia. One of those who didn't get a chance to compete at the Six Kings Slam is Casper Ruud.
The Norwegian player is competing at the 2024 Stockholm Open, where, after having a first-round bye, he beat Lorenzo Sonego in the second round, 6-3, 7-6(3), to reach the quarter-finals of the tournament.
After the match, Ruud spoke to the media present in the Swedish capital, and one of the questions was about the ongoing Six Kings Slam, and whether he received an offer to compete at the tournament.
"I didn't get an offer from the Six Kings Slam, but I have had offers in the past, and I have chosen not to go. It is obviously a controversial country in terms of many things, but there are other countries that are controversial as well that we go to and play in."
The former World No. 2 admitted that he received offers in the past but chose not to accept them because of Saudi Arabia's human rights record, which is one of the most discussed topics in the country.
However, Ruud admitted that the issue is much broader and includes more countries than Saudi Arabia. He knows that Saudi Arabia might be in the spotlight, but there are other countries, such as China, where tournaments are held, and no one questions it.
"You can definitely discuss China and human rights in China, but we go there every year. There was a lot of talk about Peng Shuai and what happened to her, and it's just to say that if you want to put Saudi Arabia as a controversial country, there should be other countries as well that should be mentioned and we don't mention those."
Ruud's take on the topic is certainly refreshing, as he was able to recognize both sides. He's also aware that Saudi Arabia wants to 'westernize' which he sees as a positive, even though he's aware that many will brand it as sportswashing.
"Obviously they have a lot of money, and I know what I am going to say will probably be described as sportswashing, but it seems to me that their new leader Mohammed bin Salman wants to do something and especially a lot of things in sport."
"He wants to, maybe, change the country and maybe make it a bit more westernized. Athletes going there could lead to a change, who knows? I know that I might look very naive saying this, because people will just say that's sportswashing covering what is actually going on."
"But if they never started anywhere, I am not sure there would ever be a change. If you want to start with sport, I think it is something that other middle eastern countries have done, you know, welcoming sports people and western culture to their country, like Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Somewhat also Doha in Qatar."
Ruud certainly doesn't see it as a black-or-white problem. He wants to wait and see how the situation unfolds, as he's sure that sooner or later, he might play in Saudi Arabia.
"Let's see. I am sure it will be more and more in the future, and there are also a lot of rumours on the ATP tour if there is going to be an extra tournament in Saudi Arabia."
"I have chosen not to go so far, but it seems to me that it is inevitable, that they will somehow be big in tennis in the future and they already have the Next Gen Finals, so let's see what the future brings."