ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — In an exciting move, the WTA Tour has unveiled a new policy that safeguards the rankings of professional tennis players who take a break for fertility treatments, including egg or embryo freezing. This groundbreaking announcement was made on Wednesday.
This development is a continuation of the WTA’s commitment to supporting players, following the rollout of paid maternity leave and financial assistance for fertility-related initiatives earlier this March.
The newly established protected ranking rule allows players to utilize this special ranking to enter up to three tournaments while undergoing fertility procedures. This adds to existing provisions for ranking protection for players during pregnancy or other paths to parenthood.
“Balancing family life with a career is a multifaceted challenge for any woman,” said 2017 U.S. Open champion Sloane Stephens in a statement from the tour. “The WTA has now created a supportive environment for players to explore their options and make the best choices for their lives.”
