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.
Inquiry slams UK authorities for failures that killed thousands in infected blood scandal
Composer's memories help shape the future
Everton lodges appeal against 2
'Constantly learning' Imanaga off to impressive start with the Chicago Cubs
Young people infuse vibrancy into Chinese square dancing
French bid to host 2030 Winter Olympics talks with Italy, Netherlands to stage speed skating
Nicaragua severs diplomatic relations with Ecuador after assault on Mexican embassy
Russian theater director and playwright go on trial over a play authorities say justifies terrorism
Nadal says he's 'ready enough' to play in his last Barcelona Open
Children are evacuated from school 'during an exam' after threat made via email
China emerges as leading source of foreign investment in Tanzania: officials