For the first time, professional women tennis players in the Women’s Tennis Association will have access to a comprehensive support system with the introduction of the Public Investment Fund-WTA Maternity Fund. The initiative, a collaboration between the Women’s Tennis Association and its global partner, PIF, offers paid maternity and parental leave, fertility preservation grants, and financial resources to help players balance their careers for starting or expanding their families. WTA players can now access up to 12 months of paid maternity leave, two months of paid parental leave, and grants for egg and embryo freezing and IVF treatment.
The PIF WTA Maternity Fund is the first maternity program of its kind in women’s professional sports, fully funded by an external partner. The initiative is part of a broader effort to provide players with the resources they need to maintain their professional careers while navigating the challenges of family life. This new fund also aligns with the WTA’s Family Focus Program, which includes ranking protection, mental health support, physical assessments, and nutritional advice.
What Is The PIF WTA Maternity Fund?
The PIF WTA Maternity Fund offers several key benefits to eligible players, aiming to relieve the pressure on women athletes who want to balance their career in tennis with their desire to start or grow a family. Eligible players will be able to access up to 12 months of paid maternity leave when they are pregnant and up to two months of paid parental leave if they become parents through adoption, surrogacy, or partner pregnancy.
The fund also includes grants to help players protect their fertility, including support for egg or embryo freezing and in vitro fertilization. This allows players to choose when they want to start their family without worrying about career setbacks. This comprehensive approach sets the PIF WTA Maternity Fund apart from other sports programs, particularly because it is entirely supported by an external partner—PIF.
Portia Archer, CEO of the WTA, explains the significance of the fund:
“It can be challenging to combine the physical and emotional demands of a professional tennis career with the complexities of motherhood and family life. For some time, we have been exploring how we can increase our support for players to help them become parents at a time of their choice. This initiative is meant to provide that support and flexibility.”
The fund’s structure is unique, unlike most professional sports leagues where athletes are employees, tennis players are independent contractors. As a result, they do not have access to the same benefits that employees in other fields might receive. By creating a fund that addresses this gap, the WTA is setting a new standard for support systems for women athletes.
How Does The PIF WTA Maternity Fund Work?
To qualify for the PIF WTA Maternity Fund, players must meet certain eligibility criteria including competing in a minimum number of WTA events over the past few years, with a focus on higher-level tournaments. In addition, players must be able to apply for a Special Ranking, a benefit within the WTA’s Family Focus Program. Special Rankings protect a player’s ranking position during their pregnancy or after childbirth, allowing them to return to the tour at the same level.
The creation of this fund was driven by the WTA Players’ Council, which represents the interests and concerns of women tennis players. The Players’ Council identified maternity support as a key area where the WTA needed to provide better resources and benefits. Portia Archer, CEO of the WTA discussed the important role the Players’ Council played in shaping the policy:
“The players’ council played a material role in shaping the policy, and even the idea of it was borne out of the player’s counsel. They had been working for some time on ways to better support the player community in this area of maternity benefits. They wanted to address the challenges that come with balancing professional careers and family life, especially when you are a professional athlete where the window for a career can be shorter than in other professions.”
The Players’ Council’s involvement ensured that the fund would reflect the specific needs and concerns of players who face unique challenges in balancing the demands of professional sports with family life.
How Did The PIF WTA Partnership Form?
The partnership between the WTA and PIF was formed in 2024 with the goal of elevating women’s tennis and supporting players at all levels of the game. Saudi-based investment fund, PIF invests in a diverse portfolio of projects worldwide. It has become one of the world’s most powerful sports investors, impacting football, combat sports, e-sports, and tennis. The maternity fund grew from a shared goal between the WTA and PIF to invest in the future of women’s tennis. Archer explained that the partnership was a natural fit.
“The partnership came about in part because of this shared ambition to invest in and elevate women’s tennis. PIF wanted to find a way to activate the partnership in a meaningful way, and maternity support was identified as a key area that could have a transformational impact. This fund is the result of a collaboration that reflects our mutual goals to support women athletes.”
Alanoud Althonayan, Senior Vice President of Events and Sponsorships at PIF, emphasizes the importance of this partnership:
“PIF’s partnerships are designed to build a more prosperous future at every level of sport and generate positive societal impact on a global scale. This is accomplished by collaborating with like-minded organizations, such as the WTA, that share PIF’s vision, purpose, and values. The PIF Maternity Fund opens new pathways to motherhood while creating a more inclusive environment where women athletes can thrive in both their professional and personal lives.”
What Is The Long-Term Impact Of The PIF WTA Maternity Fund On Women’s Tennis?
The PIF WTA Maternity Fund is expected to have a lasting impact on women’s tennis, providing current and future players with the support they need to manage both their careers and their personal lives. The hope is that the fund will encourage more women to pursue careers in tennis and give those already on the tour the financial and emotional support to take time off when they need it, without fear of losing their career momentum.
Portia Archer, CEO of the WTA outlines the potential long-term benefits:
“I hope this initiative will provide the current and next generation of players the support and flexibility to explore family life, in whatever form they choose. It’s groundbreaking, and I hope it transforms the lives of women on the tour.”
The fund’s introduction is not only a win for the players but also sends a message to other women’s sports organizations about the importance of providing comprehensive maternity support. Archer believes that other sports may follow the WTA’s example, especially as the fund proves successful:
“I think it sets a standard and provides a new model that other women’s sports organizations may want to follow. We hope it sends a positive message about women’s empowerment and the future of women’s sports.”
The success of the PIF WTA Maternity Fund could serve as a catalyst for similar programs in other sports, particularly those with self-employed athletes, pushing the boundaries of what’s possible for women athletes. Victoria Azarenka, a member of the WTA Players’ Council, is hopeful about the broader impact of the initiative:
“I’m honored to introduce this program, driven by players, and made possible with the support of PIF and the WTA. This marks the beginning of a meaningful shift in how we support women in tennis, making it easier for athletes to pursue both their careers and their aspirations of starting a family. Ensuring that programs like this exist has been a personal mission of mine, and I’m excited to see the lasting impact it will have for generations to come.” In the long term, the PIF WTA Maternity Fund aims to create a more sustainable and supportive environment for women athletes, enabling them to thrive in both their professional and personal lives.