Fri, March 07, 2025
WTA introduces maternity leave scheme for players offering up to 12 months of paid leave and subsidies
The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) is the first international sports body to introduce a maternity leave scheme which grants up to 12 months of paid maternity leave and subsidies for fertility treatments including egg freezing and IVF.
At least 320 of the world’s top tennis players will be able to access the fund. The scheme also includes two months of paid leave to anyone who becomes a parent via partner pregnancy, surrogacy or adoption.
Two-time grand slam winner Victoria Azarenka, who is also a Representative on the WTA Players’ Council, told The Guardian that the response from her colleagues had been “incredible.”
She continued: “The players are extremely excited and some were really surprised that we are creating this. The feedback from players has actually been incredible. And it is incredibly motivating that we can make the difference. It’s also important to point out this was a player-led programme and we really pushed very hard to make it happen…
I absolutely believed this day would come. It took a lot of work, even if I thought in the beginning it wouldn’t take this long. I was getting quite impatient, so I am very proud that we are here. I strongly feel this is just the beginning…
This type of programme will also open global conversations about how important family planning, maternity leave, parental leave is. Because one way or another, almost everyone gets to experience this, if they wish to.”
To benefit from the scheme, players will need to have competed in a minimum of eight WTA tournaments, including grand slams, in the previous 12 months, at least four of which must be at WTA 250 level or above.
The scheme is also applicable to players who have played a minimum of 24 WTA tournaments on the WTA Tour over the previous 36 months, at least 12 of which must be at WTA 250 level or above.
Player ranking will not affect the amount each player is entitled to; all players who qualify for the scheme will receive the same sum – dependent on whether they fit the first or second criteria.
WTA Chief Executive, Portia Archer, expressed that the new policy provides women with greater choice when it comes to starting a family:
“They can do so at a time of their choosing now, and they have some agency, because they have the financial resources, benefits, flexibility and the support to be able to make that decision…
It is important for players across the ranking profile, but we do think that it will have great impact and be quite transformational for players who are not earning at the highest levels in the sport…
This really is a groundbreaking initiative that hasn’t been made available in women’s sports for players and athletes who are self-employed – so-called independent contractors. And this comprehensive set of benefits for paid maternity leave, paid parental leave, grants for fertility preservation also has never been made available…
So we’re excited at the WTA to launch this. We have been in the business of trailblazing and being the first many times. And we’re excited to be in this position again.”
The scheme is funded by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund and is therefore called the WTA PIF Maternity Fund programme.
Archer also dismissed the negativity surrounding WTAs partnership with Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, stemming from the fact that women in Saudi Arabia continue to face significantly more discrimination in law and practice in comparison to other countries. Some have suggested that the partnership and scheme is hypocritical for this reason. However, Archer voiced:
“From the very beginning, PIF has been very supportive of our ambition to create this comprehensive programme. They’ve been very eager to partner and collaborate with us. They are funding the programme, which is a high priority for our players. And I think it will be a great opportunity for the WTA to leverage the power of sport to provide empowerment and to progress women.”
Alanoud Althonayan, Head of Events and Sponsorships at PIF, supported Archer’s statement: “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.”
