wta

The Women's Tennis Association has agreed a multi-year, multi-billion global sponsorship deal with Xerox Corp.

The Norwalk, Connecticut-based group will become the Tour's exclusive provider of business information and document technology, according to a statement on the WTA website. Xerox will also partner the Tour's season finale, the $4.9m TEB BNP Paribas WTA Championships in Istanbul, which is scheduled for 21 October.

"Xerox is one of the world's leading iconic brands, and to have them not only as a sponsor but as a partner is a real plus to the WTA family," said Stacey Allaster, WTA Chairman & CEO. "Through their services and products, Xerox will add significant business value to the WTA and our tournaments, and as a marketing partner we know they will build on the popularity of women's tennis and work with us to take the WTA to the next level of success. 2013 is a milestone year for the WTA as we celebrate the 40th anniversary of women's professional tennis and the announcement of this worldwide partnership with Xerox is a fantastic way to start the season."

The deal is the sixth major corporate agreement for the WTA since Allaster replaced former Chairman and CEO Larry Scott in 2009. BNP Paribas, France's largest bank, along with matchmaker Rolex and cosmetics marketer Oriflame are some of the Tour's biggest financial partners.

The women's professional tennis tour is now in its 40th year, according to the WTA website, and attracted a record 5.4 million spectators over its fifty-four Tour event season last year. This year's Tour includes more than 2,500 players representing 92 different nations that will compete for more than £100m in total prize money, including Grand Slam purses.