NEW YORK: The Public Investment Fund and the Women’s Tennis Association on Monday signed a multiyear partnership to support the growth of women’s professional tennis and inspire more females around the world to take up the sport.
The partnership also aims at enhancing and developing initiatives that support players at all levels.
As a global partner of the WTA, the PIF will become the first naming partner of the organization’s rankings, the highest official rankings for professional women tennis players.
And through the partnership with the WTA, the PIF will continue to be a catalyst for the growth of women’s sport, according to Mohamed Al-Sayyad, the fund’s head of corporate brand.
Al-Sayyad said: “We look forward to working with the WTA to increase participation and inspire the next generation of talent. Underpinned by PIF’s four strategic sponsorship pillars, this partnership aligns with our ambition to elevate the game and bring positive growth to the sport around the world.”
The PIF WTA rankings will track players’ journeys, and the PIF will work with the WTA to celebrate and support players’ progress.
WTA’s CEO Marina Storti said: “We are delighted to welcome PIF as a global partner of the WTA and our first-ever official naming partner of the WTA rankings.
“Together, we look forward to sharing the journey of our talented players across the season, as we continue to grow the sport, creating more fans of tennis and inspiring more young people to take up the game.”
As part of its commitment to inspire youngsters, the PIF will work with the WTA to expand existing initiatives and develop new opportunities for young players, providing a significant boost to the game’s next generation of stars.
The PIF announced its partnership with the ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals) in February and became the official naming partner of the PIF ATP rankings. The PIF has now become the only global partner across both the WTA and ATP tours.
The new partnership between the WTA and the PIF follows the recent announcement that the season-ending WTA Finals will be hosted in Riyadh for the next three years, starting in 2024.
PIF, WTA sign multiyear partnership to speed up global growth of women’s tennis
https://arab.news/npthd
PIF, WTA sign multiyear partnership to speed up global growth of women’s tennis
- PIF will become first naming partner of the WTA rankings
- PIF to continue to be a catalyst for growth of women’s sport
Djokovic quits players’ union he co-founded
- Djokovic: After careful consideration, I have decided to step away completely from the Professional Tennis Players Association
- The action also highlighted the “unsustainable schedule” for players, with tournaments scheduled 11 months out of 12 by both the men’s ATP¨and women’s WTA
PARIS: Novak Djokovic announced on Sunday he was leaving the professional players’ union he co-founded in 2020, citing “concerns regarding transparency and governance” within the body.
The Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA), founded by the current world No. 4 and Canadian Vasek Pospisil, took legal action in March 2025 against tennis governing bodies, denouncing “anti-competitive restraints and abusive practices.”
The action also highlighted the “unsustainable schedule” for players, with tournaments scheduled 11 months out of 12 by both the men’s ATP¨and women’s WTA.
“After careful consideration, I have decided to step away completely from the Professional Tennis Players Association,” Djokovic posted on social media.
“This decision comes after ongoing concerns regarding transparency, governance, and the way my voice and image have been represented.
“I am proud of the vision that Vasek and I shared when founding the PTPA, giving players a stronger, independent voice — but it has become clear that my values and approach are no longer aligned with the current direction of the organization.”
The 38-year-old 24-time Grand Slam winner said he will “continue to focus on my tennis, my family, and contributing to the sport in ways that reflect my principles and integrity.”
Djokovic is aiming for a record-breaking 25th major title at the upcoming Australian Open and will next take part in the ATP event in Adelaide from Jan. 12-17 as part of his preparations for the start of the new season.
