The Women's Tennis Association (WTA) has introduced a groundbreaking maternity program designed to support players who become parents. Announced on Thursday, the initiative offers 12 months of paid maternity leave for eligible pregnant players, while those who expand their families through partner pregnancy, surrogacy, or adoption can receive a two-month leave.
This historic program, backed by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF), also includes grants for fertility treatments such as egg freezing and in-vitro fertilization (IVF). The WTA confirmed that 320 players are eligible for these benefits, which will be retroactively effective from January 1, 2025.
A Long-Awaited Player-Led Initiative
WTA CEO Portia Archer emphasized that the program was a direct response to long-standing player advocacy efforts. Speaking at the BNP Paribas Open, Archer shared that supporting players through parenthood has been a priority since she assumed her role in August.
"This has been something that the players have advocated for a long time, well before me joining the WTA family eight months ago," Archer said. "I have the good fortune of being able to participate in bringing the final stages across the line to fruition. But this is really a player-led initiative and something that they've advocated for and wanted the focus to be on for some time.
"I think it will really be transformational because it will give players the agency, the opportunity, the flexibility, the financial resources and the support to be able to decide when and how they want to build or extend their family."
Addressing the Challenges of Independent Contractors
Unlike traditional employees, professional tennis players operate as independent contractors, meaning they were previously ineligible for standard maternity benefits. The new WTA policy now offers financial assistance, though specific payout amounts have not been disclosed. Payments will be distributed monthly, and eligibility is determined based on a player's recent tournament participation.
To qualify, players must have competed in at least eight WTA tournaments, including Grand Slams, within the past 12 months—at least four of which must be at the 250 level or higher. Alternatively, players who have participated in at least 24 WTA events over the last 36 months, with at least 12 at the 250 level or above, will also qualify.
Support for Mothers on Tour
Currently, the WTA has 25 active players who are mothers, including Grand Slam champions Victoria Azarenka, Naomi Osaka, and Petra Kvitova, as well as 2020 Olympic gold medalist Belinda Bencic. Former world No. 1 Kim Clijsters, the last player to win a Grand Slam title after giving birth, hailed the program as a game-changer, particularly for lower-ranked players who lack financial security.
"I was in a very lucky, fortunate situation and had made enough money to say, 'OK, I can take the time to take a break if I want to,'" Clijsters, who is now a PIF ambassador, told ESPN. "But a lot of players don't have that luxury. So the fact that now I think 320 players will be eligible to use the program, I think is amazing. ... I think having this financial support, the opportunity and just the ease of mind of not having to rush back, it will make a big difference."
Clijsters, who retired before the birth of her first child in 2008 and later returned to win multiple major titles, hopes to see another mother lift a Grand Slam trophy.
"I don't want to be the last one," she said.
Saudi Arabia’s Growing Influence in Tennis
The maternity program was made possible through a collaboration between the WTA Players' Council and PIF, which became the WTA's global partner in 2024. Saudi Arabia now hosts the WTA Finals, the ATP Next Gen Finals, and sponsors both the WTA and ATP rankings.
"It was a combination of player interest in this area, as voiced by the Players' Council, and cultivating ideas around what that could look like, and our global partnership with PIF," Archer explained. "We were able to collaborate about where in the partnership PIF could make the greatest impact, and they had a desire to be able to affect players at all levels of the game."
Addressing Controversy Surrounding PIF’s Involvement
Saudi Arabia has faced ongoing criticism regarding human rights concerns, particularly relating to women and LGBTQ+ rights. While the country has enacted social reforms and denies human rights abuses, critics argue that its deep involvement in global sports is an attempt at "sportswashing"—using athletic investments to improve its global reputation.
When asked about skepticism regarding PIF's role in the maternity initiative, Archer focused on the program’s significance rather than the controversy.
"But what I would say is this program is landmark and it's really groundbreaking," Archer stated. "And it's going to impact women at the WTA in ways seen and untold and unseen."
She hopes the initiative will serve as a model for other professional leagues to either adopt similar policies or expand their existing parental support programs.
"This is one of one so far," she sai
"This is one of one so far," she said, "but I hope other sports organizations will take note and build on this kind of support for their athletes."
d, "but I hope other sports organizations will take note and build on this kind of support for their athletes."
For now, the immediate priority remains the successful implementation of the program, though there are currently no plans to introduce on-site daycare at tournaments.