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.
Ohio judge to rule Monday on whether the state’s abortion ban stands
Emiliano Martinez is shown TWO yellow cards but little
Jimmy Carr sparks speculation he may have become a father for the second time
BNSF Railway says it didn't know about asbestos that's killed hundreds in Montana town
Supreme Court declines to hear challenge to Maryland ban on rifles known as assault weapons
NOT REAL NEWS: A look at what didn't happen this week
Thai leaders ready to increase humanitarian aid in Myanmar — Radio Free Asia
Watch Ryan Garcia get into an X
French sports minister calls for sanctions after Monaco player tapes over anti
The Walking Dead star Tom Payne 'unexpectedly' welcomes TWINS with model wife Jennifer Akerman
California congressman urges closer consultation with tribes on offshore wind
French athletes at Paris Olympics will receive better mental health protection