She has already stormed into the semi-finals, having picked up group stage wins over Qinwen Zheng and Jasmine Paolini.

But the WTA Finals have not been short of controversy, with the WTA addressing the poor attendances in Riyadh.

On the second day of action in Saudi Arabia, around only 400 people watched American stars Coco Gauff and Jessica Pegula go head-to-head.

What Judy Murray has told Andy Murray about tennis in Saudi Arabia

The competition has also come under the spotlight given the nature of its location, although Judy Murray has now jumped to the defence of tennis being played in Saudi Arabia.

Her comments come after Andy Murray turned down the opportunity to play in the country during his career, with Judy now detailing discussions with her son about the current situation.

READ MORE: WTA Finals 2024: How to watch, prize money, dates, prediction and everything you need to know

“Yeah, I’ve been able to share with him what my experience here is,” she told BBC 5 Live Sport. “And I would say to anyone who might have any concern about us coming here, I would say come over and see for yourself, you will be blown away by the hospitality, and the welcome, and the passion for making change.”

Judy Murray shares what has impressed her about Saudi Arabia

It is very early days for the WTA Finals to make a real impression in Saudi Arabia, although the stars of the game will be eager for attendance figures to improve as the week goes on.

Eight of the best players on the WTA Tour are in Riyadh for the season-end event, where a hugely exciting battle between Sabalenka and Swiatek will reach its conclusion.

READ MORE: Aryna Sabalenka surpasses Iga Swiatek record after also overtaking her in WTA rankings

That should hopefully help boost crowd numbers at the tournament, with organisers certainly hoping for such a scenario given its aims for tennis in the near future.

Judy Murray has now explained that desire to grow the sport in Saudi Arabia, noting: “Yet again for me, the enthusiasm, the appreciation of the fact that you have come to their country to help them, it absolutely blew me away.

“And this morning, I had on my Instagram a message from a local Saudi woman who said, ‘I’m coming to your class this afternoon, I met you two years ago at Princess Nourah University and I can’t wait to see you again, thank you for coming to our country’. That’s the sort of welcome that we’re getting.

“So there is a massive desire to grow tennis here, there’s a massive passion for the sport, and it really is opening things up to the local people.”

Her son certainly wasn’t a fan of several top men’s players having headed to Saudi Arabia last month, with Murray saying ‘nobody cares’ about the Six Kings Slam.

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