kingdom

The kingdom has been accused of using sport and famous sportspeople as vehicles for 'sportwashing' as Saudi Arabia continues to be criticised for its human rights record.

Gauff said she had had reservations about playing in the kingdom but agreed to go ahead and compete, believing "you have to start little by little" for change to happen.

“It’s as if criticizing South Africa meant you were anti-white or if criticizing Saudi Arabia means you are anti-Sunni,” he said, referring to that kingdom’s dominant Islamic sect.

That could either be considered deeply un-British or a throwback to the kingdom’s much earlier days.

However, the Gulf kingdom has been criticised for its human rights violations and accused of that investment and the hosting of high-profile events to improve its international reputation - a process known as 'sportswashing'.