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.
'The Apprentice,' about a young Donald Trump, premieres in Cannes
Full Text of Xi's Written Speech at APEC CEO Summit
Xi and Other Comrades Visit Jiang in Hospital or Send Condolences After His Passing
China to expand pilot program for reform of medical services pricing
Jessica Biel CHOPS her long locks into a bob after book signing in Studio City
Xi, DR Congo President Exchange Congratulations on 50th Anniversary of Normalization of China
Xi Calls for Building South China Sea into Sea of Peace, Friendship, Cooperation
CPC Leadership Analyzes Economic Work for Next Year, Makes Arrangements for Anti
Devout Christian doctor, 68, who punched dementia
Xi Calls for Building South China Sea into Sea of Peace, Friendship, Cooperation
Uber and Lyft say they'll stay in Minnesota after Legislature passes driver pay compromise
Interview: Jiang Zemin to Be Remembered for Historical Role in China's Reform, Opening