In a historic move for women’s tennis, the Public Investment Fund (PIF) and the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) have signed a multi-year partnership aimed at accelerating the growth of women’s tennis globally. This collaboration marks PIF as the first-ever naming partner of the WTA Rankings and sets the stage for numerous initiatives to support players at all levels.
A New Era for Women’s Tennis
Strategic Partnership
The partnership between PIF and WTA is set to revolutionize women’s tennis. As a Global Partner, PIF will be the official naming partner of the WTA Rankings, now known as the PIF WTA Rankings. This partnership is not just about sponsorship; it is about fostering growth, inclusivity, and sustainability in women’s tennis.
Key Elements of the Partnership
- Naming Partner:
PIF becomes the first-ever naming partner of the WTA Rankings, tracking and celebrating players’ journeys. - Support for Players:
Initiatives to support players at all levels, from grassroots to professional. - Inspiring Future Generations:
Programs aimed at inspiring more women and girls to take up tennis.
Impact on Global Tennis
Expanding Initiatives
This partnership will see the expansion of existing initiatives and the development of new opportunities for young players, ensuring a significant boost to the next generation of tennis stars. PIF’s involvement underscores its commitment to investing in people and initiatives that drive positive change.
Hosting the WTA Finals
The season-ending WTA Finals will be hosted in Riyadh for the next three years, starting in 2024. This event will feature the top eight singles players and doubles teams, further solidifying Riyadh as a central hub for women’s tennis.
Comprehensive Support for Growth
PIF’s Commitment
PIF’s strategic sponsorship portfolio focuses on inclusivity, sustainability, youth, and technology. This partnership with the WTA aligns with numerous other PIF initiatives aimed at promoting women in sports and elevating the game.
Quotes from Key Figures
WTA Ventures CEO
Marina Storti, CEO of WTA Ventures, stated,
“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.”
PIF Representative
Mohamed AlSayyad, Head of Corporate Brand at PIF, commented,
“Through our partnership with WTA, PIF will continue to be a catalyst for the growth of women’s sport. 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.”
About the PIF WTA Rankings
The PIF WTA Rankings are based on a rolling 52-week, cumulative system with a player’s ranking determined by results at a maximum of 18 tournaments for singles and 12 for doubles.
Points are awarded based on the level of tournament and a player’s round-by-round progression at that tournament. Since the introduction of the computer rankings on November 3, 1975, only 29 women have climbed to the top of the singles ranking to become World No. 1.
Only 15 women have held the distinction as the singles year-end World No. 1 with 26 women as the doubles year-end No. 1.
To Sum Up
The multi-year partnership between PIF and the WTA represents a significant step forward in the global growth of women’s tennis. By supporting players at all levels and inspiring future generations, this collaboration aims to make a lasting impact on the sport.
With comprehensive initiatives and a focus on inclusivity and sustainability, the PIF-WTA partnership is poised to elevate women’s tennis to new heights.
Sources: THX News & Public Investment Fund.
