The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) has appointed the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF) as its first-ever sponsor for the WTA Rankings, following in the footsteps of the ATP.
We are pleased to announce PIF as a Global Partner of the WTA and the official naming partner of the WTA Rankings. We are excited to embark on this journey with our talented players throughout the season, as we strive to expand the sport, attract more tennis fans, and motivate more young individuals to pick up the game.
– Marina Storti, CEO of WTA Ventures
PIF is now the inaugural naming-rights partner for the WTA Rankings, and the collaboration also includes initiatives to promote tennis at grassroots levels.
The new partnership between the WTA and PIF comes after the recent declaration that the season-ending WTA Finals will be held in Riyadh for the next three years, beginning in 2024. This event will showcase the top 8 singles players and doubles teams in the Race to the WTA Finals.
Both organizations revealed their partnership in New York on Monday, where PIF was announced as the naming partner of the WTA Rankings as part of a long-term commercial agreement.
Earlier this year, the ATP tour signed a strategic partnership with PIF, which includes sponsorship of its ATP Rankings.
The WTA Rankings serve as the top official rankings for professional women’s tennis players. With PIF as a Global Partner, the PIF WTA Rankings will monitor players’ journeys, while PIF and WTA collaborate to celebrate and support players’ development and unique stories.
Furthermore, as part of its commitment to inspire youth, PIF will work with the WTA to expand current initiatives and create new opportunities for aspiring players, providing a significant boost to the sport’s future stars.
PIF previously partnered with the ATP and became the official naming partner of the PIF ATP Rankings as part of a five-year association in February 2024.
PIF is now the exclusive global partner across both the WTA and ATP Tours. Additionally, PIF has collaborated with combined WTA 1000 and ATP Masters 1000 tournaments in Indian Wells, Miami, Madrid, and the Beijing WTA 1000 and ATP 500 events.
The ATP Tour relocated its Next Gen Finals for elite 21-and-under players to Jeddah in November, amidst other developments in Saudi tennis, including Rafael Nadal’s and Novak Djokovic’s participation in upcoming events in Riyadh.
Discussions are also underway to potentially introduce a prestigious Masters 1000 tournament in Saudi Arabia, as part of a broader restructure involving the WTA, ATP, and the kingdom.
“We are excited to embark on this journey with our talented players throughout the season, as we strive to expand the sport, attract more tennis fans, and motivate more young individuals to pick up the game,” said WTA Ventures CEO Marina Storti in a statement.
Former WTA players Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert have been critical of the WTA taking its season-ending championships to Riyadh
© Matthew Stockman/Getty Images
This announcement marks the latest change in direction for the women’s tour, which previously hesitated to form a partnership with Saudi Arabia.
Former CEO Steve Simon had expressed concerns about Saudi Arabia hosting women’s tennis events in the past, but plans for the season-ending WTA Finals in the Saudi capital were confirmed in April, featuring record prize money of $15.25 million this year, a 70% increase from 2023.
Despite objections from retired tennis greats Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova, as well as Russian player Daria Kasatkina, engagement in Saudi Arabia has been advocated for by former star player Billie Jean King.
Activists for women’s rights and members of the LGBTQ community have criticized the country for ‘sports-washing’, citing Saudi Arabia’s human rights record amidst its substantial investments in various sports.
Mohamed AlSayyad, Head of Corporate Brand at PIF, expressed the organization’s commitment to advancing women’s sports and nurturing future talent.
“We are eager to collaborate with the WTA in increasing participation and inspiring the next generation of talented athletes,” he stated.
In a press release, the WTA highlights that ‘PIF’s program of sponsorships uncovers new potential, investing in people, initiatives and partnerships that drive positive impact on the global stage. PIF is a catalyst for transformation globally, uplifting and enhancing sport for players, fans, tournaments and stakeholders at every level’.
