Matteo Berrettini Endorses WTA Maternity Fund

Italian tennis star praises new program offering paid leave and fertility support for pro players

Mar. 5, 2026 at 5:16pm

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Matteo Berrettini, a Wimbledon finalist and 10-time ATP singles champion, has voiced strong support for the WTA's new PIF WTA Maternity Fund Program. The pioneering policy, funded by Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund, provides up to 12 months of paid maternity leave, parental leave, and fertility treatment grants for professional women's tennis players.

Why it matters

Berrettini's endorsement highlights the importance of supporting female athletes during pregnancy and parenthood. The WTA has seen a surge of mothers returning to competition in recent years, and this new fund aims to make that transition easier and more accessible.

The details

The PIF WTA Maternity Fund Program was unveiled in March 2025, offering a range of benefits for professional women's tennis players. Berrettini, who has served as a PIF ambassador, praised the initiative, calling it "something so beautiful that it really deserves to have someone behind that." He emphasized the need to support women during childbirth, drawing inspiration from trailblazing mothers like Kim Clijsters, who won major titles as a parent.

  • The PIF WTA Maternity Fund Program was unveiled on March 6, 2025.
  • Berrettini expressed his support for the initiative while competing at the 2025 Miami Open.

The players

Matteo Berrettini

An Italian professional tennis player who has won 10 ATP singles titles, including 6 on clay courts and 4 on grass courts. He reached the Wimbledon final in 2021 and is currently ranked world no. 66.

Kim Clijsters

A Belgian former professional tennis player who is one of only three women in the Open Era to win a major singles title as a mother, alongside Margaret Court and Evonne Goolagong.

Public Investment Fund (PIF)

Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, which is funding the new WTA maternity program and serving as an ambassador for the sport.

WTA Tour

The women's professional tennis tour, which unveiled the new maternity fund program.

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What they’re saying

“I love how they're trying to help people to get into tennis, and the ones that are already into tennis, for example, the maternity fund that they just announced.”

— Matteo Berrettini

“Anytime that I see some kids playing tennis, I think about myself being a kid and dreaming about playing against someone or training together or hearing some tips from a professional tennis player.”

— Matteo Berrettini

What’s next

As part of his ambassador role, Berrettini plans to continue visiting Saudi Arabia to conduct clinics for young children, inspiring the next generation of tennis players.

The takeaway

Berrettini's endorsement of the WTA's new maternity fund highlights the importance of supporting female athletes during pregnancy and parenthood, and the program's potential to inspire more women to pursue professional tennis careers.