“6 Kings Slam” in Saudi Arabia in October

[RSJfan]

I think most players would play in the Laver cup for Free TBH, to be there to represent the Rocket and Fed's dream.

 

[RSJfan]

Navratilova is a hypocrite. The USA started to legalize homosexuality in1962, but it was illegal in most states in 1975. when she moved to the USA.
Prior to the 2003 Supreme Court ruling, same-sex sexual activity was illegal in fourteen states. The criminalization of homosexuality in the USA didn’t prevent her from moving and living there.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBTQ_rights_in_the_United_States

What happens in KSA stays in KSA.

The Kingdom in the Closet

Sodomy is punishable by death in Saudi Arabia, but gay life flourishes there. Why it is “easier to be gay than straight” in a society where everyone, homosexual and otherwise, lives in the closet

www.theatlantic.com

 

[robyrolfo]

Is it the hallmark of a civilised world for women to wear short skirts / dresses or to be skimpily clad? Is it a great leap into a fair and just society to allow it? Is it the epitome of emancipation for women to wear such attire? From my perspective - no. It isn't.
That said, what is positive is that the WTA have been given an opportunity to play too.

Yes. Yes. Not the epitome, but a very nice milestone.

The point is that women are allowed to do it if they want to do it. They have agency, and that's what it's all about.

Navratilova is a hypocrite. The USA started to legalize homosexuality in1962, but it was illegal in most states in 1975. when she moved to the USA.
Prior to the 2003 Supreme Court ruling, same-sex sexual activity was illegal in fourteen states. The criminalization of homosexuality in the USA didn’t prevent her from moving and living there.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LGBTQ_rights_in_the_United_States

So it was "illegal" in some states (a small minority). And? She didn't have to live in one of those states. Plus, it was hardly something that was being actively investigated and/or punished by authorities at the time. Your argument is, um, not an argument.

 

[Net Beast]

Yes. Yes. Not the epitome, but a very nice milestone.

The point is that women are allowed to do it if they want to do it. They have agency, and that's what it's all about.

Yes, that is the point. The issue transcends women's rights also. The KSA, like Iran, is a theocratic society. Much like countries in Europe in the Middle Ages. I am not sure whether the Western world has a legitimate right to demand countries like that to change or not. Maybe not politically, but morally we probably do. What I know is that if the KSA was a dirt poor country, they wouldn't be able to buy this apparent legitimacy that they get through mass sporting events, etc.

So it was "illegal" in some states (a small minority). And? She didn't have to live in one of those states. Plus, it was hardly something that was being actively investigated and/or punished by authorities at the time. Your argument is, um, not an argument.

Exactly. And let's compare the punishments doled out respectively by each society. Something illegal can be punished with anything in the range from a fine to capital punishment.

 

[beltsman]

Man, your take is odd. LC is a team event, so different context. This event is in SA so bound to have people dressed in their local attire - why is that an issue? Should events only take place in countries that dress in western attire?

This is an exhibition event, not a slam. Is there LC like camaraderie in the actual GS's? In any other ATP event? I have watched all of the matches at this event live - the crowd seem to be enjoying themselves and the atmosphere when Novak, but particularly Rafa played was great, with the 2 great players being cheered.

As for the political points made in this thread, get real will you? Substantial Middle Eastern money funds Tennis and other sports events,and has done for years. SA is, apparently, a friend of the USA and Britain, who have armed forces bases in the country. It seems human rights issues, and prattling on about democracy, only applies to those nations that are not 'friends'.

There are ATP events in China - are human rights / democracy not an issue there? Hypocrisy writ large, it seems.

Nah, it's a weird vibe. It's all posturing and phony. Done purely for the sake of prestige. Saudi events like this creep me out. Weird vibes man.

 

[robyrolfo]

Yes, that is the point. The issue transcends women's rights also. The KSA, like Iran, is a theocratic society. Much like countries in Europe in the Middle Ages. I am not sure whether the Western world has a legitimate right to demand countries like that to change or not. Maybe not politically, but morally we probably do. What I know is that if the KSA was a dirt poor country, they wouldn't be able to buy this apparent legitimacy that they get through mass sporting events, etc.

Bingo.

And while the Western world cannot really force these countries to change, they can certainly pressure them to do so through legitimate means. These types of things (these sporting events), however, undermine that.