Big changes are on the horizon for women’s tennis with the launch of a new initiative aimed at providing maternity and family planning benefits for players. In a groundbreaking move, the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) and the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund (PIF) have teamed up to offer paid maternity leave, fertility treatment support, and egg freezing options. This new program addresses a long-standing need in women’s professional sports, as tennis has been one of the last major sports to offer such benefits.
Eligible players will receive up to 12 months of paid maternity leave, giving them the opportunity to take time off to have children without worrying about their financial stability. In addition, players will have access to grants for fertility treatments and egg freezing, which can be a significant cost for women looking to plan their families while continuing their careers. The WTA has confirmed that this policy will apply to 320 eligible players, providing them with much-needed flexibility to balance their professional careers with family life.
Portia Archer, CEO of the WTA, expressed that the initiative will give current and future players the support and flexibility to explore family life in a way that suits them. This program is the first fully funded maternity initiative in women’s sports, with the PIF playing a major role in backing it. However, the exact financial contributions from PIF remain undisclosed, though both organizations have stated that players will be compensated equally.
This announcement follows a multiyear partnership between the WTA and the Saudi Public Investment Fund, which was established earlier this year as part of Saudi Arabia’s broader efforts to invest in global sports. Despite some controversy surrounding Saudi Arabia’s human rights record, the program has been hailed as a positive step for women’s tennis, following similar efforts in other women’s professional sports such as basketball and soccer.
For players like Victoria Azarenka, who has long advocated for maternity pay since becoming a mother in 2016, this new policy represents a significant shift in how women athletes are supported. Azarenka, who is also on the WTA Players’ Council, sees this as a career-changing opportunity for many players, helping them navigate the challenges of balancing professional sports with family life.
READ MORE: