The PIF WTA Maternity Fund Program offers groundbreaking opportunities for women athletes

For the first time in women’s sports history, comprehensive maternity benefits are being made available to independent, self-employed athletes, thanks to the introduction of the PIF WTA Maternity Fund Program.

Recently announced by PIF and the WTA, the initiative will provide paid maternity leave up to 12 months, and access to grants for fertility treatments. From launch, the PIF WTA Maternity Fund Program will offer benefits to more than 320 eligible WTA players, to help them build families.

“The significance is huge,” says Kim Clijsters, PIF Tennis Ambassador, four-time Grand Slam Singles Champion and former World No.1. “With the help of the PIF WTA Maternity Fund Program, I think this is going to be a career-changing opportunity for a lot of players.”

“The PIF WTA Maternity Fund Program reflects PIF’s commitment and seriousness in providing equal opportunities at all levels to enhance women’s tennis globally,” says Alanoud Althonayan, Head of Events and Sponsorships at PIF.

As the only maternity program in women’s sport fully funded and supported by an external partner, the pioneering initiative forms part of WTA’s comprehensive Family Focus Program developed by the WTA to empower players to combine family life with professional sport. This includes special rankings that protect a player’s ranking position during pregnancy and postpartum, allowing them to return at the same level for up to three years after giving birth, or up to two years following another means of parenthood, such as guardianship. Since introduction in 2019, these special rankings have so far benefited 50 players after returning from pregnancy.

“The PIF WTA Maternity Fund Program is really a groundbreaking program and initiative that offers players the financial resources that they need,” says Portia Archer, CEO of the Women’s Tennis Association.

“It offers them the flexibility and the support to decide if and when and where and how they want to explore family life or extend their family.

“As an organization, PIF really likes to stand apart from the rest. They like to do things that are novel, that are trailblazing. And this, again, is one of those opportunities.”