As the inaugural WTA Finals Riyadh presented by PIF drew to a close, the WTA Foundation wrapped up a week of impactful community initiatives in Saudi Arabia, which stretched far beyond the tennis courts. At the heart of this effort was the Championing Women’s Health Together event—an educational gathering attended by a distinguished group of leaders, including Her Royal Highness Ambassador Princess Reema Bandar Al-Saud, as well as WTA Legends Marion Bartoli, Daniela Hantuchova, and Martina Hingis. The event highlighted key global health issues, such as maternal and child malnutrition, while also focusing on empowering women and girls in Saudi Arabia.
The initiative was made possible through the support of numerous local and international partners, including the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Saudi Ministry of Health, the Saudi Ministry of Sport, the Saudi Tennis Federation, and the WTA’s title partner, Hologic. Together, these organizations worked to elevate the conversation around women’s health and the role of sport in building stronger, healthier communities.
Her Royal Highness Princess Reema Bandar Al-Saud spoke passionately about the significance of the event, underscoring how it aligns with broader goals for Saudi women and girls. “The legacy of the WTA Finals Riyadh will resonate for years to come, extending beyond the remarkable athleticism shown by the world’s top female tennis players this week,” she said. “By hosting the WTA Finals, we aimed to inspire women and girls across Saudi Arabia and beyond to embrace tennis not only as a sport but as a powerful tool for empowerment and community building. Through initiatives like ‘Championing Women’s Health Together’ and our collaborative efforts with the WTA Foundation and the Saudi Tennis Federation to integrate tennis into schools and communities, we have laid the foundations for cooperation with WTA towards a healthier, more active future both on and off the court.”
Dr. Khaled Alabdulkareem, Assistant Deputy Minister for Primary Healthcare at the Ministry of Health, also highlighted the important connection between sport and public health. “The relationship between sports and healthcare is intrinsic, as an active society is a healthy one. The WTA Finals aligns with our national Vision 2030 ambitions to inspire a healthier, more physically active society. The legacy of the WTA Finals, by inspiring more into tennis, along with today’s discussions highlighting women’s healthcare, are part of achieving our goals,” he noted.
Ann Austin, Executive Director of the WTA Foundation, reflected on the broader impact of the Foundation’s mission to empower communities through tennis. She explained, “The WTA is about changing lives through tennis with its partners around the world, and when we show the world how healthy we can be, we empower an entire generation of young female champions.”
The event not only reinforced the significance of sports in promoting healthy lifestyles but also highlighted the collaborative spirit needed to tackle global health challenges. By bringing together key leaders from across the health, sport, and philanthropy sectors, Championing Women’s Health Together served as a powerful reminder of how empowering women and promoting wellness go hand-in-hand in shaping a brighter future for all.