John McEnroe disagrees with Nick Kyrgios as tennis row erupts over Saudi cash

Chris Evert and John McEnroe have each publicly acknowledged their opposition to Saudi funding in tennis. “I think it’s sports washing,” acknowledged American legend Evert. “I don’t think we need to go there.’

ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi last week revealed he had been involved in “positive” talks with the Public Investment Fund over Saudi funding in tennis. World No.1 Carlos Alcaraz has admitted he’ll play within the Kingdom whereas Nick Kyrgios tweeted: “SIGN ME UP”.

Tennis could be the newest sport to learn from Saudi money after the PIF purchased Newcastle United and struck a take care of PGA and DP World Tours. Cristiano Ronaldo has been adopted by Karim Benzema and N’Golo Kante in signing for golf equipment within the Saudi Pro League. But talking on an ESPN convention name, McEnroe mentioned: “It looked to me like the PGA were total hypocrites when they cut a deal after they’ve been fighting them, in my opinion.

“At the same time the people that are complaining about it, a lot of the people are hypocrites because our government does business with them along with tons of other hedge funds, wealth funds, down the list, people that have dealings. What about Ronaldo? He’s being paid a couple hundred million a year. They have been buying players in other sports, bought boxing fights, you name it.

“I’m not surprised. I wouldn’t encourage it personally, the Saudi thing. I’m not surprised that tennis is being thrown into the mix after what we saw in golf. I don’t think that’s something that we should be pursuing, per se. It’s not in my hands.”

Andy Murray is the one high participant who has acknowledged he wouldn’t play in Saudi Arabia due to his issues over human rights. His consultant, Matt Gentry revealed final 12 months that Murray had rejected an eye-watering supply from Saudi Arabia.