WTA signs "multi-year partnership" with Saudi Arabia

The WTA officially announced on Monday that it had signed a multi-year partnership with Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund (PIF). In doing so, the women's tennis governing body is following in the footsteps of the ATP Tour, which had already signed such a partnership last February.

In a joint statement with the PIF, the WTA declared its "ambition to develop women's professional tennis and inspire more women and girls around the world to take up the sport".

"We look forward to sharing the journey of our talented players throughout the season, as we continue to develop the sport, create more tennis fans and inspire more young people to take up the sport," said Marina Storti, CEO of WTA Ventures, in the joint statement. The PIF will become the "very first WTA ranking partner".

"Through its partnership with the WTA, the PIF will continue to be a catalyst for the growth of women's sport," said Mohamed Alsayyad, head of marketing and communications at the PIF. "This partnership is part of our ambition to elevate the game and bring positive growth to sport worldwide."

The WTA had already signed an agreement with Saudi Arabia to host the 2024, 2025 and 2026 editions of the WTA Finals in Riyadh.

It should be noted that some historic figures in women's tennis have been opposed to this rapprochement with the PIF from the outset. Last January, Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert denounced the record of the Saudi kingdom, which operates under an absolute monarchy (all powers concentrated in the hands of a single ruler), in terms of women's rights in an opinion piece published by the Washington Post.

The article was entitled: "We didn't help build women's tennis to be exploited by Saudi Arabia".

This agreement is part of a more global dynamic underpinned by Saudi Arabia's desire to become a sporting power and attempt to shed its austere, conservative image.

This change of image appears essential to the success of its "Vision 2030" program of economic and social reforms, designed to prepare the world's leading crude oil exporter for a prosperous future after the end of exploitation of its oil reserves.