Coco Gauff’s recent performance in Riyadh has solidified her position as a prominent American role model. At just 20 years old, Gauff exhibits a maturity that surpasses her age, particularly evident in her professional demeanor both on and off the court during the WTA Finals held last week in Saudi Arabia. Over the past three decades, Saudi Arabia has been steadily and rapidly expanding its influence in the world of professional sports. The Kingdom aims to diversify its economy beyond oil dependency while attempting to reshape its global image as a less repressive regime. This ambition has led to significant investments in various sports, including Formula 1 racing, soccer, basketball, WWE, and most controversially, golf through the LIV tour. Tennis has now joined this list, with the WTA Finals recently taking place in Riyadh, showcasing the vast financial resources the Kingdom can offer. In 2023, as Saudi Arabia actively campaigned to host the WTA's year-end finals, a divide emerged among tennis legends. Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova expressed their concerns about the potential move, while Billie Jean King took a different stance. Just before the WTA confirmed Riyadh as the host for the 2024 Finals, Evert and Navratilova sent a letter to the organization outlining their apprehensions. They emphasized the importance of addressing the implications of hosting the WTA Finals in Saudi Arabia, stating, "The WTA Finals is the crown jewel of our tour, and we cannot allow such a significant decision to be made without an open, honest, and transparent discussion." They acknowledged the need to respect diverse cultures and religions but argued that allowing Saudi Arabia to host the event contradicts the core values of women’s tennis and the WTA itself. The WTA was established to promote fairness and equality, empowering women in a male-dominated environment. Evert and Navratilova pointed out that the values of the WTA starkly contrast with those of Saudi Arabia, a nation where women are not treated as equals and where the LGBTQ community faces criminalization.

American tennis analyst Jon Wertheim has been removed from his on-air role at the Tennis Channel following a derogatory remark he made about Barbora Krejcikova's forehead. The incident occurred during the WTA Finals in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, where Wertheim joined the broadcast via Zoom. In a statement released on Sunday, Wertheim expressed regret for his comment, stating that it was made "inadvertently" and acknowledged that it was neither professional nor charitable. His removal from the broadcast team highlights the ongoing scrutiny surrounding public figures and their comments in the sports world.

**Coco Gauff vs. Zheng Qinwen: WTA Finals Title Decider – Live Updates** **First Set: Zheng 3-2 Gauff** The match is heating up with an exhilarating exchange of powerful shots and intense rallies. Zheng starts strong with an inside-out backhand to win the first point on her serve. Gauff showcases her speed, darting across the baseline with impressive agility. After a perfectly executed forehand from Gauff, Zheng falters and hits long, giving Gauff two break points. However, Zheng rallies back, saving the game with a well-placed cross-court winner followed by a precise backhand down the line. Despite Gauff's efforts to regain control, Zheng ultimately prevails in a tightly contested game, and they take a moment to regroup. **First Set: Zheng 2-2 Gauff** Gauff is sporting a striking deep purple dress paired with a matching headband. The game begins with a double fault from her, but she quickly bounces back with two impressive first serves. Zheng manages to pull the score back to deuce, but Gauff's remarkable defensive skills shine through in a tense rally, allowing her to gain the advantage and secure the game. Stay tuned for more updates as this thrilling match unfolds!