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.
What's next for Iran after death of its president in crash?
Grandparents and a grandchild are among those killed in a police chase in Canada
2 die when small plane crashes in wooded area of northern Indiana
Former Naval officer to challenge Matt Gaetz in upcoming GOP primary
Shooting injures 2 at Missouri high school graduation ceremony
US judges reject new Louisiana congressional map
Sports Emmy Awards will honor 8 individuals as Gold and Silver Circle inductees
Former Naval officer to challenge Matt Gaetz in upcoming GOP primary
Storms damage homes in Oklahoma and Kansas. But in Houston, most power is restored
Former MVP Mike Trout needs surgery on torn meniscus