ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) announced a policy on Wednesday that will allow professional tennis players to preserve their rankings while taking time off for fertility procedures, such as the freezing of eggs or embryos.
This initiative expands on the existing provisions introduced in March for paid maternity leave, as well as funding towards fertility preservation in women’s tennis. The new protected ranking rule specifically relating to fertility procedures ensures that athletes can use their current rankings to participate in up to three tournaments after returning. This provision supplements the existing policy that allows ranking protection for players who take leaves due to pregnancy or for becoming parents in other ways.
“Decisions regarding family life and career paths are deeply personal and can be challenging,” said Sloane Stephens, the 2017 U.S. Open champion, in a WTA-issued statement. “The WTA’s policy now offers a supportive environment for players to thoughtfully consider these decisions and choose what’s right for them.”