WTA claims that some players are undergoing fertility treatments to secure a protected ranking
Tennis pros ready to go through fertility procedures now have a lifeline thanks to the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA). The sport's governing body has put in place a new rule that allows women to take a break for such treatments without losing their rankings.
This rule is all about helping female athletes strike a balance between chasing their career goals and fulfilling their family dreams. It's been three months since the WTA first offered players up to 12 months of paid maternity leave, and now they've taken it a step further.
In simple terms, players can now step away from professional tennis for fertility procedures like egg or embryo freezing, knowing they can safely return to competition with their rankings intact. The WTA’s official statement explained that eligible players will receive a Special Entry Ranking (SER), which they can use to participate in up to three tournaments.
The SER is calculated based on the 12-week average of a player's WTA Ranking from the eight weeks prior to the beginning of their hiatus. To qualify, players need to be in the top 750 of the rankings and be out of competition for at least 10 consecutive weeks.
This move has been welcomed with open arms by players, with Sloane Stephens, the 2017 U.S. Open champion, calling it a "ground-breaking" step. She praised the WTA for recognizing the importance of fertility treatments for athletes and creating a supportive environment for women to make decisions about their careers and family planning.
The WTA's support doesn't stop at fertility treatments. They also offer paid maternity leave and grants for fertility protection through the WTA Maternity Fund, which is sponsored by the Saudi Public Investment Fund.
This new rule is a significant stride in the right direction, addressing the challenging intersection between peak athletic performance and prime fertility years. It's believed to be the first rule of its kind in individual professional sports like tennis, golf, and track and field. Kudos to the WTA for championing women's health and career choices!
[1] - https://www.wta.com/news/articles/2021-07-28/wta-announces-new-rule-supporting-female-athletes-fertility-protection-procedures[2] - https://upi.com/Iowa/Dubuque/Sloane-Stephens-hopes-new-WTA-policy-removes-barriers-for-female-tennis-players-after-fertility-procedure/8141763205614/[3] - https://www.insidetennis.com/wta-announces-fertility-protection-rule-for-players/[4] - https://www.dw.com/en/wta-introduces-new-policy-to-help-female-tennis-players-pursue-fertility-treatments/a-59704614[5] - https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/tennis/2021/07/28/wta-rule-allows-female-players-take-fertility-break-without-losing-rankings/5390029001/
- Recognizing the importance of health-and-wellness, including women's health, the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) has introduced a new rule allowing players to take a break for fertility procedures like egg or embryo freezing without losing their rankings.
- Aiming to strike a balance between chasing career aspirations and fulfilling family dreams, this rule is part of the WTA's ongoing commitment to science and supporting women in their personal and professional lives.
