Victoria Azarenka plays a backhand against Iga Swiatek of Poland in their second round match during day three of the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, part of the Hologic WTA Tour at Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, on Feb. 18, 2025.
Christopher Pike | Getty Images
Big changes are coming to professional women’s tennis.
The Women’s Tennis Association and Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund have launched a new program to provide players with maternity and child family planning benefits, the organizations said Thursday. Women’s tennis is one of the last professional sports to provide these benefits, and players have been asking.
As part of the program, eligible players will receive up to 12 months of paid maternity leave. Players will also have access to grants to cover fertility conception and egg freezing treatments. The WTA said the new policy will benefit 320 eligible players.
“This initiative will…
