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. |
Bernard Hill, of 'Titanic' and 'Lord of the Rings,' dies at 79Count Binface is consoled by Sadiq Khan after losing in London mayor electionsKing Charles fears he's 'letting everyone down' if he can't carry out his public dutiesGerman teen turns himself in over attack on European election candidateAntiques Roadshow guest receives staggering appraisal for gift he received years ago at collegeIt started with a tweet. What if Harry Potter attended an HBCU? Now it's a book seriesBiden has rebuilt the refugee system after TrumpSpice Girl Mel C is surrounded by eager fans as she lands at Sydney Airport amid Australian DJ tourAntiques Roadshow guest receives staggering appraisal for gift he received years ago at collegeEMILY PRESCOTT: It's a power meeting! Eco Ellie Goulding's cosy chat with Ovo energy boss