A groundbreaking maternity leave program for WTA players sponsored by that bastion of women’s equality, the Saudia Ariabia PIF. More reflections on th, a late-career breakthrough for Madison Keys. Fred Stolle passes away.
Women’s tennis players now eligible for paid maternity leave: The WTA announced Thursday the creation of a first-of-its-kind maternity program in which eligible pregnant players can receive 12 months of paid maternity leave and those who become parents via partner pregnancy, surrogacy or adoption can receive a two-month leave. The initiative, which is sponsored by Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund, also provides grants for fertility treatments, including egg freezing and IVF. Full Story: ESPN
Tennis court surfaces and speed: How Indian Wells fits in with ATP and WTA Tours: Tennis courts will feel faster or slower for different players depending on playstyles, atmospheric conditions, and balls. One thing not in dispute is that the speed of the courts at Indian Wells is always slow. This year, things might look different after BNP Paribas Open announced a new surface provider on the eve of the event. Laykold, which also makes the courts for the U.S. Open, is the new surface provider Full Story: The Athletic
The grounds at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden gets a new look: The signage at the BNP Paribas Open has had quite the makeover from last year to this year, but fans will always consider the tennis garden to be a tennis paradise. Full Story: KESQ
The Tennis Sunshine Double Requires Plenty Of Fan Food: Between the nearly 500,000 fans flocking to Indian Wells for the BNP Paribas Open and the almost 400,000 fans visiting Hard Rock Stadium for the Miami Open, there’s plenty of mouths to feed across the tennis sunshine double. The strategy in place at both venues. Full Story: Forbes
Madison Keys’ late-career breakthrough a testament to hard work and happiness: On the pro tennis circuit, you never know when your big moment is going to come. American Madison Keys exemplified that in January when she completed a remarkable run to win the Australian Open, beating a women’s tennis murderer’s row along the way. For Keys, who turned 30 in February, it was a testament to hard work and stick-to-it-iveness. Full Story: The Desert Sun
International Tennis Federation announces the draw for the 2025 Davis Cup World Group I: The teams competing in World Group I are the 13 losing nations from the 2025 Qualifiers 1st Round and the 13 winning nations from the 2025 World Group I Play-offs. The 13 winning nations will advance to the 2026 Qualifiers 1st Round, with a chance of winning the 2026 Davis Cup title. The 13 losing nations will compete in the 2026 World Group I Play-offs. Full Story: Davis Cup
Fred Stolle, Australian tennis legend and beloved friend, dies at 86: Tennis legend Fred Stolle has passed away at the age of 86. Stolle left his mark on the game in many ways: champion player, top-tier coach, prominent broadcaster. Those who knew him well cherished Stolle’s razor-sharp wit, first-rate mind, and deep capacity for friendship and fun. As Stolle liked to say, “For us Aussies, it was simple: ‘first to the net, first to the pub.’” Full Story: Tennis
How USTA Tennis Venue Services makes an impact all over the US: A major part of the strategy to reach 35 million tennis players in the U.S. by 2035 is ensuring there are enough courts and facilities for people of all abilities to use. Central to making that happen is the USTA’s Tennis Venue Services department, which this year celebrates 20 years working to bring new facilities and courts online, and renovating and updating existing facilities to keep them playable. Full Story: USTA
Post-Fires, Tennis isn’t Going Anywhere in LA: It’s difficult to emphasize enough how much Los Angeles had positively awakened to tennis in the last few years. Now you see people playing in their front yards, on uneven hilly driveways in Eagle Rock. Using their clanging garage doors as backboards. Annoying the neighbors; not caring. This is how tennis in LA will persist. Full Story: Racquet
Serena Williams joins WNBA ownership group in Toronto: Tennis superstar Serena Williams is continuing her investment in women’s sports with a new ownership stake in the Women’s National Basketball Association’s Toronto Tempo. Full Story: CNBC
WTA at the Oscars: Gauff, Sabalenka, Serena shine: She’ll play a starring role at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells next week, but first, Coco Gauff stopped off in Hollywood on Sunday night to make a surprise appearance at the 97th annual Academy Awards. For her first Oscars, the World No. 3 wore a custom yellow, V-neck gown by Miu Miu adorned with crystals — complete with a long train — as she posed on the carpet outside Hollywood’s famous Dolby Theatre. Full Story: WTA
This Week in Professional Tennis
| Date | Tournament | Tour/Level | Location |
| 3/5-16 | BNP Paribas Open | ATP 1000 WTA 1000 | USA |
