WTA Tour and Mecedes Benz reach mammoth $500 million deal

The iconic German car manufacturer is set to become the premier partner of the WTA and pour up to $50m a year into women's tennis for up to ten years. The deal will help with the tour's key goal of having equal prize money at events where both men and women feature.

"Our mission statement when we founded the WTA was that any girl born in this world, if she was good enough, would have a place to compete, be respected and make a living playing tennis," said tennis legend Billie Jean King.

"This is a real partnership and Mercedes are in it for the long term. Seeing a brand like that stand with us sends a message that echoes far beyond tennis."

WTA chair Valerie Camillo hailed the "statement" deal that will carry the WTA for years to come.

"This makes a statement for women's sport globally," said Camillo.

"We're excited to go on this journey with Mercedes."

The deal comes off the back of French Open champion Coco Gauff being announced as the latest Mercedes brand ambassador.

"The partnership with Mercedes-Benz feels super special to me, and I would like to thank you guys for supporting women's tennis and their ambitions," said the American earlier this week.

"I'm super excited for the next few years, breaking boundaries and pushing our sport in a great direction.

"I think it's so cool and an important partnership for our sport. To see how far our sport has come to have a partnership with Mercedes-Benz is super special and I think Mercedes-Benz and WTA partnering together are proving that the dreams of young girls in sports are worth investing in."

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