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.
Brazil replaces injured goalkeeper Ederson in Copa America squad
China crackdown on Tiananmen Square commemorations extends to Hong Kong
Stunning hotel room that boasts the 'best view in the world' has TWO
Telling the story of Taiwan beyond the cross
What's next for Iran after death of its president in crash?
Motatau students make a splash with their underwater robotics
Trapped Chinese miners request pork sausages
Chinese legislators endorse tighter control over Hong Kong, Australia concerned over move
The government wants to buy their flood
Fascinating 'heat maps' reveal where in the world Brits think famous landmarks are
What's next for Iran after death of its president in crash?
Qanon: Conspiracy theories weaponised by Russia and China around US Capitol violence