Tennis Star Paula Badosa Praises Saudi Investment in WTA Maternity Program, Challenges Perceptions of Women’s Rights in the Region
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA – In a candid interview, Spanish tennis player Paula Badosa has lauded the new WTA maternity fund, backed by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF), as a “phenomenal” step forward for women’s tennis, while also defending her positive experiences within the Kingdom and challenging widely held narratives about the treatment of women there.
Badosa, currently ranked 66th in the world, spoke extensively about the challenges facing female athletes, notably regarding family planning, and the transformative impact of the WTA’s recently launched program offering up to 12 months of paid maternity leave and grants for fertility treatments. “I was like, ‘Where was this when I was pregnant?'” Badosa joked, highlighting the peace of mind the fund provides for players who rely on tournament earnings. “It gives women a chance to plan their future. In women’s sports, you frequently enough have to choose: be a mom or be an athlete. Now we’re in a place where that narrative is shifting.” She emphasized the importance of access to medical resources like egg freezing and hormone testing, empowering players to make informed decisions about their reproductive health.
The conversation extended to broader issues within professional tennis, including calls for greater parity between the WTA and ATP tours. Badosa expressed strong support for a potential merger, noting the logistical benefits of aligned schedules and consistent tournament structures. “Absolutely. I think it would be amazing,” she stated, recalling positive experiences with integrated teams during her time in World TeamTennis. “Aligning the schedules and making things more consistent would really help.” She pointed to the similarities in tournament locations and schedules – citing Cincinnati, Madrid, and Rome as examples – questioning why the experience differs for male and female players.
However, the most striking portion of the interview addressed the source of funding for the maternity program – the Saudi Arabian PIF – and the accusations of “sportswashing” leveled against the Kingdom. Badosa offered a strong rebuttal, based on her personal experiences spending six weeks in the Middle East, including participation in the Year-End Championship in Riyadh.
“That’s a misconception,” she asserted. “I went to Riyadh, and it was one of the best experiences I’ve ever had… I didn’t experience or witness anything negative, not even one time. The narrative around, propaganda media of how women are treated… is not what I saw, at all.” Badosa believes the investment demonstrates a genuine valuing of women,describing the culture as “different – not worse,not wrong,just different.” She concluded, “If we can get funding from places that help us keep moving forward, I think that’s a good thing.”
Context: The WTA’s new maternity program represents a meaningful advancement in support for female athletes,addressing a long-standing disparity in professional sports. Historically, female athletes have faced arduous choices between career and motherhood, often lacking financial security during pregnancy and maternity leave. The PIF’s investment, while controversial, provides substantial resources to alleviate this burden. The debate surrounding Saudi Arabia’s increasing involvement in sports continues,with critics raising concerns about human rights issues and the use of sport to improve the country’s international image. Badosa’s perspective offers a unique and possibly challenging counterpoint to these criticisms, based on her direct observations within the Kingdom.
