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.
Devout Christian doctor, 68, who punched dementia
Severe weather: US South hit again after one of the most active tornado periods in history
Dutch artist Joost Klein expelled from Eurovision, likely to face charges, Swedish police say
Revealed: Brit tourist, 19, subjected to sex attack in Majorca 'was gang
BAFTA TV Awards 2024 winners: Full list of who picked up gongs on the night
UNC board slashes diversity program funding to divert money to public safety resources
GM's Cruise to start testing robotaxis in Phoenix area
French sports minister calls for sanctions after Monaco player tapes over anti
Howard University cancels graduation mid
College baseball notebook: Conference tournaments to decide NCAA automatic bids and many at
BAFTA TV Awards 2024 winners: Full list of who picked up gongs on the night