WTA introduces player maternity fund with money from Saudi sovereign wealth fund
The Women's Tennis Association announced the creation of a new maternity support initiative for its players Thursday, with the funds coming directly from the Saudi Arabian government and its Public Investment Fund.
With the PIF WTA Maternity Fund, the organizations says its players will "for the first time receive paid maternity leave up to 12 months, and have access to grants for fertility treatments to build families, as well as other benefits."
Benefits will reportedly be offered to more than 320 eligible players. The WTA says it is the first time in women's sports that "an extensive range of maternity benefits are being made available to self employed athletes."
Former world No. 1 Victoria Azarenka, a WTA Players' Council representative, welcomed the fund, via the WRA:
'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 program is another step in the WTA's partnership with a government known around the world for its oppression of women and the LGBTQ community. The WTA's rankings are also sponsored by the PIF, as are the ATP's, and the WTA Tour Finals were held last last year in Riyadh, with PIF money helping increase the prize pool to more than $15 million. The event will return to Riyadh in 2025 and 2026.
Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International have repeatedly criticized the WTA's Saudi relationship. Tennis legends Chris Evert and Martina Navritalova have been similarly critical, while WTA founder Billie Jean King, who would face imprisonment and worse in Saudi Arabia as an open lesbian, called the issue a "hard" one.
WTA chief executive Portia Archer, who said in the WTA release that she was "delighted" by the new partnership, dodged questions about that partner in an interview Monday, via The Athletic:
'Questions about Saudi society are really not questions for me or the WTA. They're questions for the Saudis to answer.'
The release did mention how the PIF and the WTA have a "shared ambition to grow women's professional tennis, inspire more women and girls around the world to take up the game, and help address some of the challenges faced by female athletes."
Of course, the WTA is not alone in accepting Saudi money. Far more funds have flowed into the sport of golf via its breakaway LIV Golf tour, and prominent soccer matches, boxing matches, MMA matches, horse races and Formula 1 races have all been held in the country in recent years.
In this case, however, the money is explicitly going toward helping female athletes in an area where support was notably lacking.
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Yahoo
21 minutes ago
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Analysis-OPEC+ would struggle to cover major Iranian oil supply disruption
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The increases have already strained the capacity of some members to produce more, causing them to fall short of their new targets. Even after recent increases, the group still has output curbs in place of about 4.5 million bpd, which were agreed over the past five years to balance supply and demand. But some of that spare oil capacity - the difference between actual output and notional production potential that can be brought online quickly and sustained - exists only on paper. After years of production cuts and reduced oilfield investment following the COVID-19 pandemic, the oilfields and facilities may no longer be able to restart quickly, said analysts and OPEC watchers. Western sanctions on Iran, Russia and Venezuela have also led to decreases in oil investment in those countries. "Following the July hike, most OPEC members, excluding Saudi Arabia, appear to be producing at or near maximum capacity," J.P. Morgan said in a note. 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JP Morgan estimates, however, that Moscow can only ramp up output by 250,000 bpd to 9.5 million bpd over the next three months and will struggle to raise output further due to sanctions. The UAE says its maximum oil production capacity is 4.85 million bpd, and told OPEC that its production of crude alone in April stood at just over 2.9 million bpd, a figure largely endorsed by OPEC's secondary sources. The International Energy Agency, however, estimated the country's crude production at about 3.3 million bpd in April, and says the UAE has the capacity to raise that by a further 1 million bpd. BNP Paribas sees UAE output even higher at 3.5-4.0 million bpd. "I think spare capacity is significantly lower than what's often quoted," said BNP analyst Aldo Spanjer. The difference in ability to raise production has already created tensions inside OPEC+. Saudi Arabia favours unwinding cuts of about 800,000 bpd by the end of October, sources have told Reuters. At their last meeting, Russia along with Oman and Algeria expressed support for pausing a hike for July. Sign in to access your portfolio
CNBC
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Time Magazine
an hour ago
- Time Magazine
Top World Tennis Tournaments and Winners According to AI
This article is published by a partner of TIME. Tennis's global appeal is anchored by a handful of marquee events that combine history, prestige, and the highest stakes in the sport. From the sun-baked hard courts of Melbourne to the manicured grass of London, these tournaments test the limits of champions' skill, endurance, and mental fortitude. Over the past decade, they've produced historic comebacks, rising stars, and unforgettable rivalries that have etched their names into the annals of tennis lore. While the four Grand Slams (the Australian Open, the French Open, Wimbledon, and the U.S. Open) stand at the peak, a series of elite ATP and WTA '1000' tournaments—sometimes called the 'fifth Slams'—round out the calendar, offering top players crucial ranking points and attractive purses. This article, using research assistance and insights from AI, spotlights the top ten professional tournaments worldwide, detailing their locations, venues, 2024 winner payouts, in-depth tournament insights, and details about the winners. Historically, the four Grand Slams exhibited some of the widest pay gaps in tennis—but they've each now reached full parity. The U.S. Open led the way, becoming the first major to award equal prize money in 1973. The Australian Open followed in 2001, the French Open in 2006, and finally Wimbledon in 2007. Among the elite ATP/WTA '1000' events, the Miami Open equalized its payouts in 2006, and the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells did so in 2012. Since these landmark changes, many of tennis's top-tier tournaments have adopted equal prize money, underscoring the sport's ongoing commitment to gender equity. 1. Australian Open Location and Venue: Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia 2025 Winner's Prize Money: A$3,500,000 for both men's and women's singles champions Month Held: January Tournament Insight: First held in 1905, the Australian Open ushers in the Grand Slam season under the fierce Melbourne sun. Its Plexicushion hard courts reward aggressive baseline play and athleticism, while state-of-the-art facilities—like the retractable roofs on Rod Laver and Margaret Court Arenas—ensure matches go on come rain or shine. Off-court, the AO's multicultural precincts and live entertainment zones reflect Australia's vibrant, festive spirit. Men's Singles Champions (2015–2025): 2015: Novak Djokovic (Serbia; 27) 2016: Novak Djokovic (Serbia; 28) 2017: Roger Federer (Switzerland; 35) 2018: Roger Federer (Switzerland; 36) 2019: Novak Djokovic (Serbia; 31) 2020: Novak Djokovic (Serbia; 32) 2021: Novak Djokovic (Serbia; 33) 2022: Rafael Nadal (Spain; 35) 2023: Novak Djokovic (Serbia; 36) 2024: Jannik Sinner (Italy; 22) 2025: Jannik Sinner (Italy; 23) Women's Singles Champions (2015–2025): 2015: Serena Williams (USA; 33) 2016: Angelique Kerber (Germany; 28) 2017: Serena Williams (USA; 35) 2018: Caroline Wozniacki (Denmark; 27) 2019: Naomi Osaka (Japan; 21) 2020: Sofia Kenin (USA; 21) 2021: Ashleigh Barty (Australia; 25) 2022: Ashleigh Barty (Australia; 26) 2023: Aryna Sabalenka (Belarus; 25) 2024: Aryna Sabalenka (Belarus; 26) 2025: Madison Keys (USA; 29) 2. French Open (Roland Garros) Location and Venue: Stade Roland Garros, Paris, France 2025 Winner's Prize Money: £2,100,000 for both men's and women's singles champions Month Held: May Tournament Insight: Since 1891, Roland Garros has reigned as tennis's clay-court centerpiece. Its slow red soil demands supreme stamina, tactical patience, and heavy topspin to outmaneuver opponents in long rallies. The intimate stadiums—surrounded by tropical gardens and historic façades—create an ambiance unique among Grand Slams, further intensified by the Parisian spring's romance and nightly light shows. Men's Singles Champions (2015–2025): 2015: Stan Wawrinka (Switzerland; 30) 2016: Novak Djokovic (Serbia; 29) 2017: Rafael Nadal (Spain; 31) 2018: Rafael Nadal (Spain; 32) 2019: Rafael Nadal (Spain; 33) 2020: Rafael Nadal (Spain; 34) 2021: Novak Djokovic (Serbia; 34) 2022: Rafael Nadal (Spain; 35) 2023: Novak Djokovic (Serbia; 36) 2024: Carlos Alcaraz (Spain; 21) 2025: Carlos Alcaraz (Spain; 22) Women's Singles Champions (2015–2025): 2015: Serena Williams (USA; 33) 2016: Garbiñe Muguruza (Spain; 22) 2017: Jeļena Ostapenko (Latvia; 20) 2018: Simona Halep (Romania; 26) 2019: Ashleigh Barty (Australia; 23) 2020: Iga Świątek (Poland; 19) 2021: Barbora Krejčíková (Czech Republic; 25) 2022: Iga Świątek (Poland; 21) 2023: Iga Świątek (Poland; 22) 2024: Iga Świątek (Poland; 23) 2025: Coco Gauff (USA; 21) 3. Wimbledon Location and Venue: All England Lawn Tennis & Croquet Club, London, United Kingdom Month Held: June and July Tournament Insight: Founded in 1877, Wimbledon is tennis's oldest and most tradition-steeped championship. Its lush grass courts play fast and low, rewarding serve-and-volley finesse and lightning reflexes. Rituals like the all-white dress code, royal patronage, and strawberries and cream combine with Centre Court's historic charm to create an extraordinary atmosphere unmatched anywhere else in sport. Men's Singles Champions (2015–2024): 2015: Novak Djokovic (Serbia; 28) 2016: Andy Murray (UK; 29) 2017: Roger Federer (Switzerland; 35) 2018: Novak Djokovic (Serbia; 31) 2019: Novak Djokovic (Serbia; 32) 2021: Novak Djokovic (Serbia; 33) 2022: Novak Djokovic (Serbia; 35) 2023: Carlos Alcaraz (Spain; 20) 2024: Carlos Alcaraz (Spain; 21) Women's Singles Champions (2015–2024): 2015: Serena Williams (USA; 33) 2016: Serena Williams (USA; 35) 2017: Garbiñe Muguruza (Spain; 23) 2018: Angelique Kerber (Germany; 30) 2019: Simona Halep (Romania; 27) 2021: Ashleigh Barty (Australia; 25) 2022: Elena Rybakina (Kazakhstan; 23) 2023: Markéta Vondroušová (Czech Republic; 23) 2024: Barbora Krejčíková (Czech Republic; 28) 4. U.S. Open Location and Venue: USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, New York, USA 2024 Winner's Prize Money: US $3,600,000 for both men's and women's singles champions Month Held: August and September Tournament Insight: As the season's final Grand Slam, the U.S. Open showcases athletic firepower on DecoTurf hard courts under the New York skyline. Its night sessions at Arthur Ashe Stadium generate electric atmospheres, while fan-friendly innovations—like the retractable roof, on-court interviews, and vibrant plaza concerts—reflect the city's dynamic energy. Men's Singles Champions (2015–2024): 2015: Novak Djokovic (Serbia; 28) 2016: Stan Wawrinka (Switzerland; 31) 2017: Rafael Nadal (Spain; 31) 2018: Novak Djokovic (Serbia; 31) 2019: Rafael Nadal (Spain; 33) 2020: Dominic Thiem (Austria; 28) 2021: Daniil Medvedev (Russia; 25) 2022: Carlos Alcaraz (Spain; 19) 2023: Novak Djokovic (Serbia; 36) 2024: Jannik Sinner (Italy; 22) Women's Singles Champions (2015–2024): 2015: Flavia Pennetta (Italy; 33) 2016: Angelique Kerber (Germany; 28) 2017: Sloane Stephens (USA; 24) 2018: Naomi Osaka (Japan; 20) 2019: Bianca Andreescu (Canada; 19) 2020: Naomi Osaka (Japan; 23) 2021: Emma Raducanu (UK; 18) 2022: Iga Świątek (Poland; 20) 2023: Coco Gauff (USA; 19) 2024: Aryna Sabalenka (Belarus; 26) 5. Indian Wells (BNP Paribas Open) Location and Venue: Indian Wells Tennis Garden, Indian Wells, California, USA 2024 Winner's Prize Money: US $1,100,000 for both men's and women's singles champions Month Held: March Tournament Insight: Nicknamed the 'fifth Slam,' Indian Wells (near Palm Springs) features the tour's second-largest stadium after Arthur Ashe. Nestled in the Coachella Valley, its spacious grounds, palm-lined walkways, and luxury amenities create a resort-like atmosphere. As a mandatory ATP/WTA 1000 event, it draws every top star to battle under the desert sunshine. Men's Singles Champions (2015–2024): 2015: Novak Djokovic (Serbia; 27) 2016: Novak Djokovic (Serbia; 28) 2017: Roger Federer (Switzerland; 36) 2018: Juan Martín del Potro (Argentina; 29) 2019: Dominic Thiem (Austria; 25) 2021: Cameron Norrie (UK; 25) 2022: Taylor Fritz (USA; 24) 2023: Carlos Alcaraz (Spain; 20) 2024: Carlos Alcaraz (Spain; 21) Women's Singles Champions (2015–2024): 2015: Simona Halep (Romania; 23) 2016: Victoria Azarenka (Belarus; 27) 2017: Elena Vesnina (Russia; 30) 2018: Naomi Osaka (Japan; 21) 2019: Bianca Andreescu (Canada; 19) 2021: Paula Badosa (Spain; 23) 2022: Iga Świątek (Poland; 21) 2023: Elena Rybakina (Kazakhstan; 23) 2024: Iga Świątek (Poland; 22) 6. Miami Open Location and Venue: Hard Rock Stadium, Miami Gardens, Florida, USA 2024 Winner's Prize Money: US $1,100,000 for both men's and women's singles champions Month Held: March and April Tournament Insight: Since relocating to Hard Rock Stadium in 2019, the Miami Open has fused top-level tennis with live music, night-match excitement, and fan festivals. Its March slot bridges the winter hard-court swing and clay season, providing players with a tropical setting to fine-tune their games. Men's Singles Champions (2015–2024): 2015: Novak Djokovic (Serbia; 27) 2016: Novak Djokovic (Serbia; 28) 2017: Roger Federer (Switzerland; 35) 2018: John Isner (USA; 33) 2019: Roger Federer (Switzerland; 37) 2021: Hubert Hurkacz (Poland; 23) 2022: Carlos Alcaraz (Spain; 18) 2023: Jannik Sinner (Italy; 21) 2024: Jannik Sinner (Italy; 22) Women's Singles Champions (2015–2024): 2015: Serena Williams (USA; 33) 2016: Victoria Azarenka (Belarus; 27) 2017: Johanna Konta (UK; 25) 2018: Sloane Stephens (USA; 25) 2019: Ashleigh Barty (Australia; 23) 2021: Ashleigh Barty (Australia; 25) 2022: Iga Świątek (Poland; 20) 2023: Petra Kvitová (Czech Republic; 33) 2024: Petra Kvitová (Czech Republic; 34) 7. Madrid Open Location and Venue: Caja Mágica, Madrid, Spain 2024 Winner's Prize Money: €963,225 for both men's and women's singles champions Month held: April and May Tournament Insight: At 650 meters above sea level, Madrid's clay courts speed up balls, favoring aggressive baseliners and big servers. The multi-court Caja Mágica—with its retractable roofs and vibrant 'Battlefield' fan plaza—hosts electrifying day and night matches, all set against the Sierra de Guadarrama's mountain backdrop. Men's Singles Champions (2015–2024): 2015: Andy Murray (UK; 28) 2016: Novak Djokovic (Serbia; 29) 2017: Rafael Nadal (Spain; 31) 2018: Alexander Zverev (Germany; 21) 2019: Novak Djokovic (Serbia; 31) 2021: Alexander Zverev (Germany; 24) 2022: Carlos Alcaraz (Spain; 19) 2023: Carlos Alcaraz (Spain; 20) 2024: Alexander Zverev (Germany; 27) Women's Singles Champions (2015–2024): 2015: Petra Kvitová (Czech Republic; 25) 2016: Dominika Cibulková (Slovakia; 27) 2017: Simona Halep (Romania; 25) 2018: Petra Kvitová (Czech Republic; 28) 2019: Kiki Bertens (Netherlands; 27) 2021: Aryna Sabalenka (Belarus; 23) 2022: Ons Jabeur (Tunisia; 27) 2023: Aryna Sabalenka (Belarus; 25) 2024: Ons Jabeur (Tunisia; 28) 8. Italian Open (Rome Masters) Location and Venue: Foro Italico, Rome, Italy 2024 Winner's Prize Money: Men's singles €963,225; women's singles €699,690 Month Held: May Tournament Insight: Nestled among statues and fountains from Mussolini‐era architecture, the Foro Italico's red‐clay courts form a dramatic Roman setting. As the penultimate clay event before Roland Garros, Rome's crowd energy and twilight sessions under the lights offer a fitting build-up to Paris. Men's Singles Champions (2015–2024): 2015: Novak Djokovic (Serbia; 28) 2016: Andy Murray (UK; 29) 2017: Alexander Zverev (Germany; 20) 2018: Rafael Nadal (Spain; 31) 2019: Rafael Nadal (Spain; 32) 2021: Rafael Nadal (Spain; 35) 2022: Novak Djokovic (Serbia; 35) 2023: Daniil Medvedev (Russia; 27) 2024: Alexander Zverev (Germany; 27) Women's Singles Champions (2015–2024): 2015: Maria Sharapova (Russia; 27) 2016: Serena Williams (USA; 34) 2017: Elina Svitolina (Ukraine; 22) 2018: Elina Svitolina (Ukraine; 23) 2019: Karolína Plíšková (Czech Republic; 27) 2021: Iga Świątek (Poland; 19) 2022: Iga Świątek (Poland; 20) 2023: Elena Rybakina (Kazakhstan; 23) 2024: Iga Świątek (Poland; 22) 9. Canadian Open (National Bank Open) Location and Venue: Montreal (men) and Toronto (women), Canada 2024 Winner's Prize Money: Men's singles US $1,049,460; women's singles US $523,485 Month Held: July and August Tournament Insight: Alternating between Montreal and Toronto, the Canadian Open ignites the North American hard-court season. Boasting electric crowds, summer heat, and world-class facilities at IGA Stadium and Sobeys Stadium, it's one of the tour's most festive non-Slams. Men's Singles Champions (2015–2024): 2015: Novak Djokovic (Serbia; 28) 2016: Novak Djokovic (Serbia; 29) 2017: Alexander Zverev (Germany; 20) 2018: Rafael Nadal (Spain; 32) 2019: Rafael Nadal (Spain; 33) 2021: Cameron Norrie (UK; 25) 2022: Pablo Carreño Busta (Spain; 30) 2023: Jannik Sinner (Italy; 22) 2024: Alexei Popyrin (Australia; 25) Women's Singles Champions (2015–2024): 2015: Belinda Bencic (Switzerland; 18) 2016: Simona Halep (Romania; 24) 2017: Elina Svitolina (Ukraine; 23) 2018: Simona Halep (Romania; 26) 2019: Bianca Andreescu (Canada; 19) 2021: Camila Giorgi (Italy; 29) 2022: Simona Halep (Romania; 30) 2023: Jessica Pegula (USA; 28) 2024: Jessica Pegula (USA; 30) 10. Cincinnati Open (Western and Southern Open) Location and Venue: Lindner Family Tennis Center, Mason, Ohio, USA 2024 Winner's Prize Money: Men's singles US $1,049,460; women's singles US $523,485 Month Held: August Tournament Insight: Each August, the Lindner Family Tennis Center's DecoTurf courts host the field's final major tune-up before the U.S. Open. Cincinnati's small-town Midwestern charm, intimate stadiums, and consistent summer weather yield tightly contested battles and loyal local support. Men's Singles Champions (2015–2024): 2015: Roger Federer (Switzerland; 34) 2016: Marin Čilić (Croatia; 28) 2017: Grigor Dimitrov (Bulgaria; 27) 2018: Novak Djokovic (Serbia; 31) 2019: Daniil Medvedev (Russia; 23) 2021: Alexander Zverev (Germany; 23) 2022: Borna Ćorić (Croatia; 25) 2023: Novak Djokovic (Serbia; 36) 2024: Jannik Sinner (Italy; 22) Women's Singles Champions (2015–2024): 2015: Simona Halep (Romania; 23) 2016: Victoria Azarenka (Belarus; 26) 2017: Garbiñe Muguruza (Spain; 23) 2018: Kiki Bertens (Netherlands; 27) 2019: Madison Keys (USA; 24) 2021: Ashleigh Barty (Australia; 25) 2022: Caroline Garcia (France; 29) 2023: Coco Gauff (USA; 19) 2024: Aryna Sabalenka (Belarus; 26) Summary of Top Professional Tennis Tournaments Around the World In just over a century, tennis's elite tournaments have evolved from regional fixtures into global spectacles that showcase the pinnacle of athleticism, strategy, and form. Each venue—from the green lawns of Wimbledon to the crimson courts of Roland Garros—offers its own unique playing conditions, shaping champions who must adapt across multiple surfaces and climates. Over the past decade, these ten events have crowned icons who cemented their legacies not only through titles but also through incredible athletic performances, tactical breakthroughs, and moments of pure magic. As tennis heads into its next chapter, these tournaments will continue to define greatness and inspire generations of tennis players to come. Related Articles: Dominique Harroch is the Chief of Staff at She has been a Chief of Staff or Operations Leader for multiple companies where she leveraged her extensive experience in operations management, strategic planning, and team leadership to drive organizational success. With a background that spans over two decades in operations leadership, event planning at her own start-up and marketing at various financial and retail companies, Dominique is known for her ability to optimize processes, manage complex projects and lead high-performing teams. She holds a BA in English and Psychology from U.C. Berkeley and an MBA from the University of San Francisco. She can be reached via LinkedIn.
