After the men’s ATP Tour, the Kingdom is now also exerting influence on the women’s tennis tour via its state fund PIF. The criticism continues
Saudi Arabia continues to expand its influence in the tennis world. Following a deal with the men’s ATP Tour, the kingdom is also joining the WTA women’s tour via its sovereign wealth fund PIF. This was announced by the women’s players’ organization on Monday after the contract was signed in New York.
As with the men’s tour, the PIF (Public Investment Fund) will become the official name partner of the world rankings and will support the tour as a sponsor for an indefinite period (“Multi-Year Partnership”).
Saudi Arabia had already secured the right to host the WTA Finals in April. The tournament for the eight best female players of the year will take place in the capital Riyadh until at least 2026. After the Grand Slam tournaments, the event is the most prestigious tennis tournament in terms of points and prize money
Tennis icons criticize Saudi Arabia
The tennis icons Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova have strongly criticized the WTA officials in light of the speculation.
“We didn’t help build women’s tennis so that it could be exploited by Saudi Arabia,” wrote Evert and Navratilova in an article for the Washington Post, criticizing the status of women’s rights in the country, among other things.
The WTA nevertheless concluded the next deal. For Marina Storti, CEO of the organization’s commercial division, an opportunity to “further grow the sport, attract more tennis fans and inspire more young people to get involved with the sport”.
Saudi Arabia is active in world sport far beyond tennis. The soccer World Cup is expected to take place there in 2034, the LIV Tour has caused a split in the golf scene, major boxing matches such as Saturday’s heavyweight fight between Alexander Usyk and Tyson Fury always take place in Riyadh, and Formula 1 is now also dependent on the Saudi state fund.
In tennis, the PIF also sponsors the combined WTA/ATP events in Indian Wells, Miami, Madrid and Beijing, and Rafael Nadal is an ambassador for the country. Critics describe the involvement as “sportswashing.”