2 months ago
19
Female tennis players who wish to freeze eggs or embryos, so they can start a family at a later date, will have their ranking protected by the WTA Tour.
The offer is open to any player ranked in the world’s top 750 who spends more than 10 weeks out of competition.
The 2017 US Open champion Sloane Stephens says the rule will reduce the pressure on players to return to the court too quickly.
The 32-year-old, who has won eight WTA tournaments says she has twice previously used the off-season to freeze her eggs.
Players who undergo fertility treatment will be able to use their special ranking to enter up to three tournaments within 10 weeks of their return.
The special ranking will be an average of a player’s ranking over a 12-week period before and during their leave.
Players will not, however, be able to use this ranking to enter one of the WTA’s premier 1000 events, as the tour wants to encourage players to undertake the procedure at a quieter time of the season.
Stephens says she was a strong advocate for such a measure when a member of the WTA Players’ Council, and the tour’s chief executive Portia Archer confirms the move was player-led.
English (US) ·