Saudi Arabia is going to sponsor the WTA women's tennis rankings under a new partnership
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.
Related articles
Six killed in a 'foiled coup' in Congo, the army says
KINSHASA, Congo (AP) — Six people were killed and dozens arrested following attacks on the residence2024-05-21Van Thinh Phat chairwoman sentenced to death in Vietnam’s biggest fraud trial — Radio Free Asia
Truong My Lan, the chairwoman of Vietnamese developer Van Thinh Phat, has been sentenced to death fo2024-05-21Ukraine aid worker Chris Parry died unlawfully alongside Andrew Bagshaw, inquest hears
Andrew Bagshaw died alongside fellow aid worker Chris Parry. Photo: Supplied / Susan and Philip Bags2024-05-21Homes catch fire as lava spills onto town in Iceland
Lava explosions and billowing smoke are seen near residential buildings in the southwestern Icelandi2024-05-21Mohammad Mokhber: Who is Iran’s acting president?
DUBAI, United Arab Emirates (AP) — Iran’s first Vice President Mohammad Mokhber was appointed as act2024-05-21'Unusually cool March': Cold but clear weather for Easter weekend
Most of the South Island had single-digit temperatures Friday morning. Photo: 123rf2024-05-21
atest comment