Exciting news for pregnant athletes on the women’s tennis circuit! Thanks to a groundbreaking initiative supported by the Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, players can now access a generous 12 months of fully paid maternity leave. Moreover, those welcoming children through partner pregnancy, surrogacy, or adoption are entitled to a two-month paid leave. This landmark program was unveiled by the WTA on Thursday.
WTA CEO Portia Archer emphasized, “Independent contractors and self-employed individuals typically lack access to such maternity benefits, often needing to navigate these challenges alone. This initiative marks a transformative step forward.”
With over 300 players eligible for this fund, which retroactively applies from January 1, the WTA has opted to keep the financial details under wraps.
This initiative is a historic first for women’s sports, offering comprehensive maternity benefits to self-employed athletes. The program also includes grants for fertility treatments, such as egg freezing and in vitro fertilization (IVF).
This progressive move reflects a broader trend, with a growing emphasis on addressing parental and maternity needs as women’s sports continue to gain momentum.
How many mothers are currently on the women’s tennis tour?
The WTA reports that there are 25 mothers competing on tour. Notably, Olympic gold medalist Belinda Bencic celebrated a title victory just last month after returning from her maternity leave in October.
Indeed, many professional players—including former No. 1s and Grand Slam champions like Serena Williams, Naomi Osaka, Kim Clijsters, Caroline Wozniacki, and Victoria Azarenka—have successfully returned to the game after having children.
Azarenka, a member of the WTA Players’ Council, highlighted the significance of these benefits for lower-ranked athletes, encouraging them to take the time they need post-parenthood without the financial stress of tournament participation. “The goal is to provide the necessary resources and support so these athletes can determine the best timing for starting their families,” Archer added.
Additionally, Azarenka believes this initiative may inspire more players to consider parenthood before retiring from the sport for good.
“Feedback from players, whether they are mothers or not, has been overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the importance of opportunities like this,” shared Azarenka, who is a proud mother to her 8-year-old son, Leo. “I truly believe this will shift the conversation in sports, extending beyond just tennis, as it contributes to a global dialogue.”
In recent years, the WTA has also taken other significant steps for players’ welfare, such as promoting women’s roles in coaching, implementing safety measures, combating cyberbullying, and striving for equal prize money across genders in the sport.
What’s Saudi Arabia’s role in tennis?
The Public Investment Fund (PIF) became the global partner of the WTA last year, amidst much public discourse. Notable figures, including Hall of Famers Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova, voiced concerns about LGBTQ+ rights and women’s rights in Saudi Arabia.
The kingdom is now home to the season-ending WTA Finals as well as an ATP event for emerging male tennis talents, with the PIF sponsoring both WTA and ATP rankings.
“The benefits we’re able to provide stem directly from our partnership with PIF and their financial support,” stated Archer.
Comparative maternity leave policies in other sports.
The LPGA, another individual sport akin to tennis, enacted an updated maternity leave policy in 2019, allowing players to retain their status upon return. In soccer, both the NWSL and the U.S. women’s national team have collective bargaining agreements that provide extensive maternity and parental leave benefits, with NWSL players receiving full salaries during pregnancy. Meanwhile, in basketball, the WNBA guarantees full pay during maternity leave as well.
According to Azarenka, the new PIF WTA Maternity Fund Program represents just the beginning for maternity benefits in tennis.
“It’s an outstanding start—monumental change indeed,” she remarked. “We should look into expanding this fund for broader, more impactful initiatives moving forward.”
