Saudi Arabia to host women’s WTA Finals for three years
The deal will boost prize money for the championship in November to a record $15.25 million
Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund had a visible presence during the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells in March. (Photo: Getty Images)
Saudi Arabia will host the women’s WTA Finals tennis tournament for the next three years under a contract announced on Thursday.
The deal between the WTA and the Saudi Tennis Federation will boost prize money for the championship in November to a record $15.25 million, a 70% increase from the purse for last year’s event that was played in Cancun, Mexico.
WTA Chairman Steve Simon told the Associated Press that public objections to the Saudi bid from Hall of Fame players Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova received serious consideration before the decision was made to hold the annual event in Riyadh.
ATP, the men’s professional tennis tour, agreed on a five-year sponsorship deal in February with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund.