WTA Foundation's 2nd Annual Champions for Women's Health Summit Convenes Global Leaders in Riyadh to Close Women's Health Gaps

The gathering brought together distinguished voices across sport, philanthropy, and women's health, including (from L to R): Gates Foundation Director Jackie Jones, moderator Haya Sawan, 2013 Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli, WTA star Ons Jabeur, WTA Foundation Executive Director Ann Austin, Dr. Fatimah Alhamlan of Rofaida Women’s Health Organization and King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Dr. Malak Alghadier of the Saudi Ministry of Health, and WTA CEO Portia Archer.

The WTA Foundation, in partnership with the Saudi Ministry of Sport, Saudi Ministry of Health, Gates Foundation, Hologic, and the Saudi Tennis Federation, hosted the 2nd Annual Champions for Women's Health Summit at King Saud University ahead of the WTA Finals Riyadh presented by PIF championship matches. The summit celebrated a major milestone: the WTA Foundation's Global Women's Health Fund and its Women Change the Game campaign, launched in collaboration with the Gates Foundation, has now raised funds to support 1.5 million women with lifesaving resources since its launch last year.

The intimate gathering brought together distinguished voices across sport, philanthropy, and women's health, including WTA star Ons Jabeur (former World No. 2) and 2013 Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli, Dr. Fatimah Alhamlan of Rofaida Women’s Health Organization and King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Dr. Malak Alghadier of the Saudi Ministry of Health, Jackie Jones of the Gates Foundation, and moderator Haya Sawan, to inspire dialogue and collaboration around closing global women's health gaps. The event also featured virtual remarks from Her Royal Highness Ambassador Reema Bandar Al-Saud.

“For over 50 years, the WTA has stood for something bigger than tennis: breaking down boundaries and creating equal opportunities for women. Today, we're proud to be the leading sports league for women's health because we believe that barriers for women in sport and in health are one and the same,” said Ann Austin, Executive Director, WTA Foundation. “Through the Women Change the Game campaign, we're mobilizing the global tennis community to close life-threatening health gaps for millions of mothers around the world.”

Photo credit: WTA

The Champions for Women's Health Summit capped off an incredible year of WTA Foundation activities across the region, building on more than 30 community events hosted in Riyadh in 2025. Alongside its Saudi Tennis Federation and Ministry of Sport partners, the WTA Foundation delivered grassroots and community programs across Saudi Arabia. With a commitment to inspire the next generation and encourage more women and girls to take up the sport, 2025 programming also included: a Special Olympics clinic, a training session for more than 100 female physical education teachers representing 100 schools, a month-long series of breast cancer survivor tennis clinics, a three-day coach workshop for 24 female coaches, and more. The WTA Foundation also raised more than $200,000 for women’s health.

EVENT HIGHLIGHTS

Her Royal Highness Ambassador Reema Bandar Al-Saud delivered virtual remarks emphasizing that "healthy women are the catalysts for healthy societies" and calling for global connectedness in addressing women's health challenges.

“When we invest in women's health, we don't just heal individuals, we empower entire communities to thrive, flourish, and succeed. The Women Change the Game campaign absolutely exemplifies this," said Her Royal Highness Ambassador Reema Bandar Al-Saud. "Since launching in 2024, the campaign has raised funds to help support over 1.5 million mothers, mobilizing lifesaving resources as we build toward our goal of supporting millions more. These aren't just numbers—they're stories of resilience, of families strengthened, and of futures transformed.”

Moderated by Haya Sawan, Saudi entrepreneur and influencer, the panel discussion featured WTA star Ons Jabeur, WTA legend Marion Bartoli, and Dr. Fatimah Alhamlan, Founding Member and VP of Rofaida Women's Health Organization. The conversation explored the intersection of women's health and sport, the unique challenges facing mothers, and the transformative impact of simple interventions like prenatal vitamins.

“Women face the same battle for equal opportunity, investment, and recognition on and off the court,” said Ons Jabeur, WTA player. “I'm honored to be part of the Women Change the Game campaign and use my voice for women and children whose basic right to health is threatened by conflict and hardship. Every woman deserves the chance to be healthy and to thrive.”

“Being a mother and an athlete has been one of the greatest privileges of my life, but it requires incredible support and resources,” said Marion Bartoli, WTA Foundation Game Changer. “Through the Global Women’s Health Fund, we're ensuring that mothers everywhere, whether they play on the WTA Tour or in communities around the world, have access to the nutrition they need. I'm proud that our campaign has raised funds to support 1.5 million women, and I'm committed to helping us go even further.”

The event also included remarks from Dr. Malak Alghadier, Director of Women's Health at the Saudi Ministry of Health, and Jackie Jones, Director of Gender Equality at the Gates Foundation, who emphasized the power of partnership in driving sustainable change. Following the panel discussion, guests participated in an interactive Nutrition Hub experience featuring curated nutritious food and beverages, and a tennis activation with Ons Jabeur and Marion Bartoli that included a collaborative art installation where attendees honored women who inspire them to prioritize their health.

“Women comprise half the world’s population and yet they spend 25% more of their lives in poor health than men,” said Jackie Jones, Director of Gender Equality at the Gates Foundation. “Supporting the health of women and mothers is a strategic investment in the well-being and advancement of entire societies. Healthy women can pursue their ambitions, and the Women Change the Game campaign demonstrates that by joining forces, sharing knowledge, and taking deliberate collective action, together, we can close the women’s health gap.”

The WTA Foundation Global Women's Health Fund supports the UNICEF-led Child Nutrition Fund (CNF) to provide women globally with critical health and nutrition interventions, including prenatal vitamins and minerals that help prevent undernutrition in pregnant women and give children the healthiest start in life. It can cost as little as $2.50 to help provide prenatal vitamins to an expectant mom for her entire pregnancy, yet 9 in 10 women in low- and middle-income countries do not have access to these multiple micronutrient supplements. Over 60 countries, including Djibouti, State of Palestine, South Sudan, Syrian Arab Republic, and Yemen, are eligible to receive support from the CNF to help scale up essential nutrition services and strengthen national systems to deliver lasting results for children and women.

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Courtesy of WTA. Top photo credit: WTA