WTA Offers Paid Maternity Leave, Backed by Saudi Funds
The World Tennis Association (WTA) has made a big change. Now, women tennis players can get paid maternity leave. This is a first in women’s sports. However, the fact that Saudi Arabia is funding this has raised some concerns.
From now on, professional women tennis players can take up to 12 months of paid maternity leave. If they have a child through surrogacy, adoption, or their partner’s pregnancy, they can take two months of leave. They can also get help with fertility treatments. This new program started on January 1 and covers more than 320 players.
The WTA says this is “the first time in women’s sports history” that players who work for themselves can get such good maternity benefits. To get this leave, players must have played a certain number of WTA tournaments. The WTA did not say exactly how many. Also, they did not say how much money players will get during their leave. But they said it will be a standard amount, not based on their world ranking. All of this money comes from the Saudi state fund PIF.
Saudi Arabia has been investing a lot in sports, including tennis. Some people think this is “sportswashing.” This means they are using sports to make people forget about human rights problems in their country.
In recent years, many women tennis players have returned to the tour after having children. These include Serena Williams, Angelique Kerber, and Naomi Osaka. These players were among the top earners, so they didn’t need paid maternity leave. But for lower-ranked players, this new policy is very important. The WTA says about 25 mothers are currently playing on the tour.
This move by the WTA is part of a bigger trend. Many sports are now trying to make it easier for mothers to return to competition.
For example, since 2020, women football players have been able to take at least 14 weeks of maternity leave. They get at least two-thirds of their salary. They are also protected from being fired while pregnant. FIFA, the world football governing body, has also added rules to let players change clubs outside of transfer periods.
In Canada, the government now gives money to top women athletes during and after pregnancy. They have special cards for this. Before, pregnant athletes had to use injury cards to get money. Now, they have separate cards. The government is spending a lot of money on this program.
The UK has a similar program. They give money to top women athletes who are not professionals and who are expected to do well in international competitions. These athletes must plan to compete again after their break.
In the United States, the National Olympic and Paralympic Committee (USOPC) gives top women athletes a one-year scholarship and health insurance after they have a baby. The US Athletics Federation (USATF) has also decided to extend this support.
In the WNBA, women basketball players get their full salary during pregnancy. Players who have been in the league for at least eight years can also get help with artificial insemination.
In 2019, track and field star Allyson Felix said her sponsor Nike wanted to cut her pay by 70% when she got pregnant. After this, Nike changed its contracts. Now, they have a rule that protects pregnant athletes from losing money for one year.
The WTA’s new maternity leave policy is a big step for women’s tennis. It helps players who are not top earners. However, the fact that Saudi Arabia is funding this has caused some concern. This policy is part of a larger trend in sports to support pregnant athletes and mothers.
