The Women's Tennis Association has introduced a new maternity leave program for professional players, financed by the Saudi Public Investment Fund.
Key facts
- •The WTA maternity program is funded by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF).
- •Eligible players can receive up to 12 months of paid maternity leave.
- •The program applies retroactively to January 1 and covers over 320 female players.
- •Benefits include allowances for fertility treatments and two months of leave for non-birth parents.
- •The WTA did not disclose the specific monetary value of the standardized payments.
The Women's Tennis Association (WTA) has announced a new maternity leave program providing up to 12 months of paid leave for professional players. The initiative, which applies retroactively to January 1, covers more than 320 athletes. The program is financed entirely by the Saudi state fund PIF and includes allowances for fertility treatments, as well as two months of leave for those having children through surrogacy, adoption, or a partner's pregnancy.
By the numbers
Program Details and Eligibility
To qualify for the benefits, players must have participated in a specific number of WTA tournaments within a set timeframe, though the organization has not disclosed exact requirements. The WTA stated that the program provides a standardized payment amount regardless of a player's world ranking. The organization described this as the first instance in women's sports history where comprehensive maternity benefits are available to independent, self-employed athletes.
Broader Context in Women's Sports
The WTA initiative joins other recent efforts to support pregnant athletes across various sports. FIFA extended maternity regulations in mid-2024, while the Canadian government launched a five-year, CDN$35 million program in October 2024 to support top female athletes. Similar support structures exist in the UK and the United States, including the WNBA, which provides full basic salary during pregnancy, and policies at the US Athletics Federation and Nike regarding financial protections for expectant mothers.
Timeline
- 2019Allyson Felix revealed Nike's plan to cut her pay by 70% following her pregnancy.
- End of 2020FIFA introduced maternity leave regulations for footballers.
- January 1The WTA maternity program became retroactively effective.
- Spring 2024The US Athletics Federation extended support for athletes returning from pregnancy.
- Mid-2024FIFA expanded its maternity regulations to include club transfer flexibility.
- October 2024The Canadian government announced financial support for top female athletes.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by Deutsche Welle Sports.
