GAUFF WANTS TO WITNESS CHANGE

American expects to see progress for women in Saudi Arabia from hosting of WTA Finals

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RIYADH - Coco Gauff believes bringing the WTA Finals to Saudi Arabia can "open doors" and inspire positive change for women in the country, although the world No. 3 also admitted: "I'd be lying to you if I said I had no reservations."

The WTA Tour has signed a three-year deal with the Saudi Tennis Federation to stage its season finale in Riyadh, with the first edition kicking off at King Saud University Indoor Arena on Nov 2.

The women's tour has come under scrutiny for its decision to go to Saudi Arabia, with critics citing the conservative kingdom's poor record on freedom of expression and women's rights as reasons against the move.

Gauff, 20, admits that she had reservations about the idea of staging the WTA Finals in Saudi Arabia and wanted to see for herself what kind of progress is being made.

"Obviously I'm very aware of the situation here in Saudi," said the American star.