The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) and the Public Investment Fund (PIF) have announced the creation of the PIF WTA Maternity Fund Program, which will provide eligible WTA players with up to 12 months of paid maternity leave and access to grants for fertility treatments.
The program marks the first time in women’s sports history that comprehensive maternity benefits will be available to independent, self-employed athletes. From launch, the program will offer benefits to more than 320 eligible WTA players.
Announced at Indian Wells, California, the initiative is part of the partnership between WTA and PIF, which became the WTA’s Global Partner in May 2024. The program was identified as a key area for collaboration by the WTA Players’ Council, which represents the interests of players.
Portia Archer, WTA CEO, said: “It can be challenging to balance 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. We are delighted that our partnership with PIF allows us to realize a key ambition to offer paid maternity and parental leave to more than 320 eligible WTA players. This initiative will provide the current and next generation of players the support and flexibility to explore family life, in whatever form they choose.”
The PIF WTA Maternity Fund Program is the only maternity program in women’s sports to be fully funded and supported by an external partner. The program aims to empower women tennis players by providing the support and flexibility to pursue professional careers while building families.
Alanoud Althonayan, Head of Events and Sponsorships at PIF, said: “PIF partnerships are designed to elevate every level of sport and leave a legacy of transformative impact on a global scale. Our partnership with WTA is built on a shared ambition, aligned with PIF’s vision, purpose and values. The PIF WTA Maternity Fund Program – a first-of-its-kind and the only maternity program in women’s sports to be fully funded and supported by an external partner – opens new pathways to motherhood while creating a more inclusive environment where athletes can thrive in both their professional and personal lives.”
The program builds upon the WTA’s existing Family Focus Program, which includes special rankings that protect a player’s ranking position during pregnancy and postpartum. These special rankings allow players to return at the same level for up to three years after giving birth, or up to two years following another means of parenthood, such as guardianship. Since special rankings after returning from pregnancy were introduced in 2019, 50 players have benefited.
Marina Storti, WTA Ventures CEO, stated: “This ground-breaking initiative is a perfect demonstration of the power of partnership to help drive positive change for women’s tennis. As a WTA global partner, PIF has shown a strong commitment to our sport and has worked closely with us and our players to develop the PIF WTA Maternity Fund Program over the last year. We thank them for their valued support and their instrumental role in bringing these important benefits to WTA players.”
Victoria Azarenka, WTA Players’ Council Representative, highlighted the player-driven nature of the program: “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.”
The eligibility criteria for participation in the PIF WTA Maternity Fund Program includes competing in a certain number of WTA tournaments in a window of time and receiving a special ranking through the WTA’s Family Focus Program.
In addition to financial support, the WTA offers extensive resources to players who are pregnant or new parents through the Hologic WTA Performance Health Team and Women’s Health Taskforce. This support includes physical assessments, mental health support, nutritional advice, and guidance on a staged return to play.
