Pioneering: Female Tennis Athletes Pursuing Fertility Treatments to Safeguard Rankings

Female tennis athletes ranked within the top 750 will now benefit from protected rankings if they decide to take a break from competition for fertility procedures, including egg or embryo freezing, as announced by the WTA.

This development follows the rollout of paid maternity leave and financial assistance for fertility-related measures earlier in March.

According to the newly implemented rule concerning protected rankings for fertility procedures, players can use their special ranking to enter a maximum of three tournaments.

Previously, players were eligible for ranking protection during pregnancy or when pursuing alternative routes to parenthood.

“The discussion surrounding family life versus a career is intricate and nuanced for any woman,” remarked Sloane Stephens, the 2017 US Open champion, in a statement issued by the tour.

“The WTA has now established a supportive environment for players to explore their options and make informed decisions for themselves.”

Last year, Stephens disclosed that she had frozen her eggs twice during the off-season.

“During my first egg retrieval, I gained about 9kgs due to the hormonal changes and taking a break from training. Moving forward, I plan to manage my training differently for my next retrieval this off-season,” she shared with Essence magazine.

“It’s crucial to rest and avoid pushing yourself too hard to prevent complications such as ovarian torsion, so I had to carefully schedule my training blocks and off-season to accommodate it all.

This is why I am particularly passionate about the introduction of protected rankings for players experiencing fertility treatments. It ensures they can take care of their bodies and make thoughtful decisions without the pressure of ranking points or career interruptions.

In further comments on the new rule, Stephens stated: “I’m extremely proud of our sport for acknowledging the significance of fertility treatments for female athletes.

It is indeed a pioneering move that will empower this generation and those to come, allowing players to pursue the sport they love without compromising their personal goals.”