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.
Young Boys seals 6th Swiss soccer league title in 7 years after rallying from firing coach Wicky
Xi's Article on Deepening Reform of Party, State Institutions to Be Published
Xi to Attend Opening Ceremony of Chengdu Universiade, Related Diplomatic Activities
Across China: Volkswagen Anhui rolls out targeted strategy to meet booming Chinese NEV market
Target to lower prices on basic goods in response to inflation
Xi, Cambodian King Exchange Congratulations on 65th Anniversary of Diplomatic Ties
Experts call for cooperation to boost high
China moves to unleash market demand for stronger growth against external uncertainties
I was 'brokefished' by my friend for £400
(W.E.Talk) The Shanghai Cooperation Organization and “Oriental Wisdom”
Kevin Pillar gets 1,000th career hit in Angels' win at Texas
HK vibrant with celebratory atmosphere ahead of 25th anniversary of return to motherland