WTA players to receive maternity pay for first time with grants available for fertility treatment
Female tennis players will receive paid maternity leave on WTA tour for the first time.
The New Maternity Foundation, introduced by the Women’s Tennis Association’s management agency, has more than 320 players eligible for up to 12 months of paid leave.
Grants will also be provided for fertility treatment.
Players will need to participate in the minimum number of WTA matches within a certain period of time to meet the criteria.
The maternity program will be fully funded by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), a global partner of the WTA Tour.
Petra Kvitova and Belinda Bencic have both made a comeback in recent months due to maternity leave.
Former world number one Victoria Azarenka gave birth to her son Leo in 2016 Telled the BBC last year If the WTA is to introduce maternal salary, it will be a “great victory for women in general.”
Four-time Major Champion Naomi Osaka also posted support to support maternal salaries, saying it would be “life-changing.”
“Balanced the physical and emotional needs of a professional tennis career with the complexity of motherhood and family life can be a challenge,” said WTA CEO Portia Archer.
“This initiative will provide the support and flexibility to explore family life in any form for current and next generation participants.”
