The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) has introduced a groundbreaking policy offering up to 12 months of paid maternity leave for players. This initiative, funded by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF), also provides access to fertility treatments, including egg freezing and IVF.
The program, known as the WTA PIF Maternity Fund, is available to at least 320 of the world’s top players. In addition to maternity leave, it grants two months of paid leave to those becoming parents through partner pregnancy, surrogacy, or adoption. This initiative is being hailed as a milestone for women’s sports, offering financial stability and family-planning support to professional athletes.
A key advocate for the program, a two-time Grand Slam champion and member of the WTA players’ council, expressed pride in the achievement, noting that it had been a long but necessary journey. The player emphasized that the program was driven by the athletes themselves, who had pushed for its creation. She also highlighted the importance of opening global discussions about parental leave and family planning in professional sports, hoping that this initiative would inspire similar programs in other disciplines.
To qualify for assistance, players must have competed in a minimum of eight WTA tournaments, including Grand Slams, in the previous 12 months, with at least four at the WTA 250 level or higher. Alternatively, eligibility extends to those who have played at least 24 WTA tournaments in the past three years, including a minimum of 12 at the WTA 250 level or above. The financial support provided will be the same for all eligible players, with specific amounts determined by which of these two criteria they meet.
While active WTA players who have children remain relatively rare, there are several high-profile names within the world’s top 100 who have balanced parenthood with their careers. Among them are Grand Slam champions and top-ranked competitors who have successfully returned to the tour after giving birth.
The WTA’s leadership believes that this program will give players greater control over their personal and professional lives, allowing them to start families when they choose without financial or career-related concerns. The flexibility and resources provided are expected to be particularly impactful for players who do not earn at the highest levels of the sport.
This initiative is being recognized as a significant step forward, as it provides maternity leave and parental benefits to self-employed athletes something rarely seen in professional sports. The comprehensive nature of the program, which includes financial support and fertility preservation grants, makes it a pioneering effort in empowering female athletes.
The organization has emphasized its history of leading change in women’s sports, having been at the forefront of progress since its founding. This maternity policy further cements its commitment to supporting players throughout different stages of their lives.
Despite some concerns regarding the involvement of the Saudi investment fund, given ongoing discussions around women’s rights in the region, WTA leadership has maintained that the partnership is focused on empowering female athletes. The fund’s representatives have also stated that their goal is to create lasting, transformative impacts in the sporting world through initiatives like this one.
With this policy in place, the WTA continues to set a precedent for gender equality in sports, ensuring that professional tennis players have the support they need to balance their careers and personal aspirations.
