The Women’s Tennis Tour (WTA) announced a partnership with the Saudi Arabian sovereign wealth fund (PIF) in an effort to grow women’s professional tennis and inspire more women and girls worldwide to take up the sport. The partnership includes PIF becoming the first-ever naming partner of the WTA Rankings. Through this collaboration, both organizations aim to elevate the game and bring positive growth to women’s sports globally. The agreement follows the recent announcement that the season-ending WTA Finals will be held in Riyadh for the next three years, starting this year.
In line with the partnership, Saudi Arabia has also appointed tennis legend Rafael Nadal as the ambassador of the Saudi Tennis Federation. The country has been making significant strides in promoting sports, hosting various high-profile events such as Formula 1, MotoGP Grand Prix, the Dakar rally-raid, and boxing matches, including the recent heavyweight unification bout between Oleksandr Usyk and Tyson Fury. The Kingdom has recruited top football players to its national league, demonstrating its commitment to developing a thriving sports culture within the country.
The partnership between WTA and PIF mirrors a similar deal made by the men’s tour (ATP) in February, showcasing the growing interest in promoting tennis in Saudi Arabia. With the support of PIF, the WTA aims to engage more fans of tennis and inspire young people to pursue the sport. The collaboration highlights a shared vision of leveraging sports as a platform for empowerment and fostering gender equality through increased participation of women in sports.
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has been actively diversifying its sports portfolio by attracting top athletes and hosting international sporting events. The recent hosting of the Next Gen Finals, exhibition matches featuring renowned players like Novak Djokovic, Aryna Sabalenka, and others, and the upcoming WTA Finals in Riyadh signify a growing interest in showcasing elite tennis talent in the region. By investing in women’s sports and partnering with established organizations like the WTA, Saudi Arabia is positioning itself as a leader in promoting gender equality and empowering women through sports.
Through the partnership with the WTA, PIF aims to be a catalyst for the growth of women’s sports globally, aligning with Saudi Arabia’s vision of promoting inclusivity and diversity in sports. The collaboration not only enhances the visibility of women’s tennis but also provides a platform for talented players to showcase their skills on the international stage. By hosting prestigious events like the WTA Finals, Riyadh aims to establish itself as a hub for tennis and attract top players from around the world, contributing to the growth and development of the sport in the region. The partnership between WTA and PIF signifies a significant step towards promoting women’s sports and advancing gender equality in the realm of sports.
