NEW YORK (AP) — Saudi Arabia’s move into tennis will now include a multiyear deal to sponsor the WTA women’s rankings.
The WTA released word of its partnership agreement with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) on Monday, a move that follows last month’s news that the kingdom will host the tour’s season-ending championships in Riyadh starting this year and February’s announcement that it will sponsor the ATP men’s rankings.
Both tours’ rankings deals are for five years.
The PIF is the first naming-rights partner for the WTA rankings and the new arrangement also includes plans to promote tennis at lower levels of the sport.
Tennis has been consumed lately by the debate over whether the sport should follow golf and others in making deals with Saudi Arabia, where rights groups say women continue to face discrimination in most aspects of family life and homosexuality is a major taboo, as it is in much of the rest of the Middle East.
Travis Kelce downs whiskey shot on slice of bread at Kelce Jam without Taylor Swift
Crusaders beat Rebels for second win in 2024; boost Super Rugby playoff hopes
New reporting requirements for life
Jason Kelce addresses claims his Super Bowl ring was STOLEN after New Heights live show with Travis
Britain's new bonkers EV: Callum Skye is an £80k electric buggy built in Warwickshire
Burkina Faso Suspends BBC and Voice of America after covering report on mass killings
British man charged with acting on behalf of Russia in plot to torch Ukrainian
Laura Woods wows in a black figure
Eminem announces his 12th studio album The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grace) with a true
California congressman urges closer consultation with tribes on offshore wind
What to expect in New York's special congressional election