The WTA has enacted a new rule allowing women players to take time off for fertility protection procedures, such as egg freezing, while retaining a protected ranking for their return to competition. This rule expands on previous maternity leave offerings and aims to support female athletes in balancing career and family aspirations. Eligible players will receive a Special Entry Ranking (SER) for entering tournaments. Sloane Stephens praised this initiative, emphasizing its significance in recognizing the complexities faced by women in sports regarding family and career decisions.
Eligible players will receive a Special Entry Ranking (SER), which can be used to enter up to three tournaments, based on the 12-week average of their WTA Ranking from eight weeks prior to the start of their out-of-competition period.
I'm incredibly proud of our sport in recognizing the importance of fertility treatments for female athletes. For any woman, the conversation of family life versus a career is nuanced and complex.
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