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.
Investigators return to Long Island home of Gilgo Beach serial killing suspect
Helping People Live in Harmony with Nature
Artist Helps Youth Understand Beauty of Rock Paintings
Experiencing Charm of Peking Opera While Cycling in Beijing
Nadal returns to Roland Garros to practice amid doubts over fitness and form
China cruises past Mongolia on Asiad men's basketball opening day
Family of 'Red History' Takes Root in Jinggangshan
Chinese Woman Reaches Peak of Neuroscience Research
‘The Blue Angels,’ filmed for IMAX, puts viewers in the ‘box’ with the elite flying squad
'Our Life Is the Best China Story'
Inquiry slams UK authorities for failures that killed thousands in infected blood scandal
Family Dedicated to Writing 'Green Legend' on Saihanba