Victoria Azarenka rebels against Poland’s Iga Swiatek in the second round of the second round, part of the Holotic WTA Tour at the free tennis court in Dubai on February 18, 2025, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on February 18, 2025.
Christopher Pike | Getty Images
Professional women’s tennis is undergoing major changes.
The Women’s Tennis Association and the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund have launched a new program to provide players with family planning benefits for pregnant women and children, the organizations said Thursday. Women’s tennis is one of the last professional sport to offer these benefits – players keep asking.
As part of the program, eligible players will receive up to 12 months of paid maternity leave. Players will also receive a grant to cover fertility concepts and egg cryotherapy. The WTA said the new policy will benefit 320 qualified players.
“This initiative will provide the support and flexibility to explore family life in any form for current and next generation participants,” WTA CEO Portia Archer said in a statement.
The PIF WTA Maternity Fund Program is the first and only maternity program in women’s sports fully funded and supported by external partners, the WTA said. PIF declined to comment on its contribution to the program, but the organization said players would be compensated equally.
In May, the Saudi Public Investment Fund and the WTA agreed to a multi-year partnership as Saudi Arabia hopes to invest further in sports investment. PIF also provides funding for the LIV Golf League.
Partnership has Make a criticism Some current and former players have been given the history of human rights violations in Saudi Arabia. The new policy may be a PIF attempt to show us our tennis fans that the kingdom is changing.
“The PIF Partnership aims to enhance the various campaigns and leave a legacy of transformative impact on a global scale,” Alanoud Althonayan, director of events and sponsorship at PIF, said in a statement.
While these changes mark a positive step in women’s tennis, the sport is following in other professional women’s sports, as pregnant women’s welfare has become a key issue for players in recent years.
“Recalling my experience of having a daughter in 2008, there was no support,” Kim Clijsters said in a statement. “I think it will be a career change opportunity for many players.”
WNBA’s latest collective bargaining agreement with players can guarantee women Full salary During maternity leave. FIFA and National Women’s Football League Its maternal welfare has also been recently expanded.
For former top star Victoria Azarenka, the announcement on Thursday has been a long time. She has been advocating for maternal salary in tennis since giving birth to her son in 2016. Azarenka sat on the Players’ Council and advocated for increased benefits.
“This marks the beginning of a meaningful transition to support women in tennis, making it easier for athletes to pursue their own careers and start families,” Azarenka said in a statement. “Making sure that such a program exists has always been my personal task and I’m happy to see the lasting impact it will have on generations.”
