From Staff Reports

(December 23, 2011) Sony Ericsson will end its sponsorship of the WTA Tour at the end of 2012.

The mobile phone giant became the WTA’s sponsor in 2005 under a six-year, $88 million contract. The contract was extended until the end of 2012, when it will expire.

Sony Ericsson PR manager Graciela Pineda told the Associated Press that this “was a strategic decision based on the evolution of the business and the brand.”

Meanwhile, the WTA said in a statement that Sony Ericsson has been a great partner and they will be missed.