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.
Elon Musk gets approval from FDA to implant his Neuralink brain chip into a second patient
Netflix fans go wild over 'absolutely brilliant' new drama but are surprised by a shock cameo
EMMA COWING: A precious glimpse into the Queen's happy home
Why US Catholics are planning pilgrimages in communities across the nation
Father of teen stabbed to death on Apple River by knife
Father of teen stabbed to death on Apple River by knife
Amir Khan's £11.5m luxury wedding venue finally hosts its first marriage: Bride arrives on horse
Nicole Brown Simpson documentary in production at Lifetime as 30
Kate Hudson hits the stage to debut songs from her new album Glorious at star
Through the palace keyhole... by those who were there