Latest news with #PortiaArcher
Yahoo
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Why tennis players undergoing fertility treatment will have their world ranking protected
Female tennis players over time have expressed great difficulty balancing family ambitions with aspirations for career greatness. However, a new empowering rule introduced by the WTA will help to dispel this conundrum from these players' minds, encouraging them to start a family at a time that suits them. Advertisement Female tennis players who undergo fertility treatment will no longer feel pressured to rush back to the court after the WTA's groundbreaking promise to protect their world rankings. Any of the world's top 750 players who wish to freeze their eggs or embryos will now be given a 'special ranking' to provide additional peace of mind when planning to start a family. Players often use the off-season to receive fertility treatment, or are forced to weigh up the dilemma of peak fertility conflicting with top sporting displays. This new rule will not only protect the health of these sporting stars, but ease the pressure to return to competitions if not full recovered or at peak physicality. Advertisement Here's everything you need to know: Who is eligible? The option can be taken up by any female player who is ranked within the top 750 if the time they spend outside of competition surpasses 10 weeks. More than 320 players are also eligible for up to 12 months of paid maternity leave, which was introduced by the WTA for the first time earlier this year. All players will receive the same level of statutory maternity pay, regardless of where they rank. What is the 'special ranking'? The special entry ranking will allow any eligible player undergoing treatment to enter up to three tournaments within 10 weeks of their return. Advertisement The SER is calculated by a player's 12 week average, spanning before and during their out-of-competition period. However, players will be prohibited from using this ranking to enter any of the WTA premier 1000 events. These include the Indian Wells Open and the Miami Open. Who set this rule up? This initiative was 'very much at the instigation of the players', according to WTA chief executive and Player's Council member, Portia Archer. Player reactions "Being able to have the security to take care of that, have that peace of mind and know we can come back to the tour without working our way up the rankings is such a gift." - Maddison Keys, 2025 Australian Open champion "Someone might be out for three months, someone might be out for one week. Some people gain a tonne of weight, some people can go back immediately. I think when you are family planning, it's better if you have that support." - Sloane Stephens, 2017 US Open champion
BBC News
10-06-2025
- Sport
- BBC News
Women's scheduling a 'systemic' issue
The scheduling of women's matches is a "systemic" issue across top-level tennis events, says the head of the women's comes following criticism of French Open organisers who featured no women's matches in any of the 11 prime-time night sessions on Court Philippe Chatrier this chief executive officer Portia Archer says she expects to meet Roland Garros tournament director Amelie Mauresmo to see how they can "effect change" - but said she does not believe the issue lies with any individual."I just think it's a missed opportunity," Archer told BBC Sport."I think the fans expect, and increasingly we'll see that they demand, that they have the opportunity to see the best tennis matches - whether they are men or women - in prime-time slots."I think their [TV] rights partners may very well have a role to play in this, and have something to say on behalf of fans as well." Since the French Open introduced night sessions in 2021, only four of those matches have been from the women's during this year's tournament, former WTA world number one Mauresmo rejected accusations that not scheduling women's matches in the tournament's night session implies female players are not "worthy" of the came after three-time major finalist Ons Jabeur said that the continuing imbalance at the French Open was "unfortunate for women's sports in general".The former world number two wrote in a social media post that "honouring one side of the sport shouldn't mean ignoring the other".Archer said: "I thought Ons shared a very eloquent message."I think we'll have conversations with Grand Slams and various events who are operating in what we believe is a way that's different to what the fans and the public demand."I would encourage fans to do the same. It is something that we will continue to push for and continue to advocate for - it's in our DNA at the WTA." Mauresmo said the potential for women's matches - which are best-of-three sets and not best-of-five like the men's - to potentially go by "really fast" was the justification behind the also said the tournament does not want to have two matches in the night session, like the Australian Open and US Open, for fear of creating late Mauresmo's role in the decision-making at the French Open, Archer said: "I really don't think about it in terms of an individual [making the choice]. I think it's broader than that, I think it's more foundational and more systemic."I think it is an issue at other tournaments, I don't think it is an issue specific to the Grand Slams."On whether she will seek to discuss the issue with Mauresmo, Archer added: "I think I'll have an opportunity to do that."Again, it's not something that I assign to a specific individual, so we'll be working to discuss with all the relevant parties how we can effect change in this area."
South Wales Argus
07-06-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
LTA announces commitment to equal prize money by 2029
For the first time this year, all the LTA's grass court events will feature both men and women's tennis as part of a commitment to give British fans the opportunity to watch the best players, men and women, on home soil and bring women's tennis to a larger audience. The HSBC Championship at Queen's Club will stage a women's WTA 500 and a men's ATP 500 event, whilst the Lexus Eastbourne Open will stage a women's WTA 250 and a men's ATP 250, both tour events of the same level. This year, the events will be providing not just the same experience for fans and players, but a move to true equal prize money over time for the players involved. There are currently material differences between the prize money levels on the women's WTA and men's ATP tours. Whilst the minimum prize money levels are set by the tours themselves, the LTA, with the full support of the WTA, has chosen to significantly uplift the WTA prize money at Queen's and Eastbourne in 2025 and will fully close the gap between WTA and ATP prize money at these events no later than 2029. This year the WTA 500 prize money at the HSBC Championships will rise to a record $1.415m. The HSBC Championships will be the highest paying WTA 500 event, of its draw size, in the world this year. The WTA 250 prize money at the Lexus Eastbourne International will rise to $389,000 – making this the highest paying WTA 250 event anywhere on the tour. Scott Lloyd, LTA Chief Executive said: 'We are making significant increases this year to the women's prize money at Queens and Eastbourne and want to achieve equal prize money as soon as possible. 'The LTA is committed to growing women's tennis, both at professional and grass-roots level and this move is an important part of that commitment. This year fans will be able to enjoy both men's and women's tennis on the biggest stages that we can offer and we want to develop the tournaments so that the women's events deliver a path to profitability and greater visibility for the sport. 'We aspire to play a leading part in the growth and development of women's tennis globally, and we'll continue to explore new ways in which we can do this.' Portia Archer, WTA CEO said: 'We fully support the LTA's initiatives to increase the women's prize pot at its events, with a goal of achieving parity in the longer term. WTA athletes deliver consistently engaging and powerful games on court to entertain courtside fans and worldwide audiences. 'This move sends a powerful message that the women's game is valued and will inspire new generations of girls picking up racquets to know their endeavours will be recognised.'
CNA
15-05-2025
- Sport
- CNA
WTA chairman Simon to retire in December
Women's Tennis Association (WTA) chairman Steve Simon will step down from his role in December after 10 years with the organisation, the governing body of women's tennis said on Thursday. Simon joined the WTA in 2015 as chief executive and was replaced in that role by Portia Archer in July. "Since day one, I have worked to deliver positive change and growth for women's tennis... and to promote dialogue and collaboration between players, tournaments and partners across the game," Simon said in a WTA statement. "I am proud of what we have accomplished and look forward to watching the continued rise of women's tennis in years to come." Simon had come under fire from players over the decision to hold the 2023 WTA Finals outdoors in the Mexican resort of Cancun. They were later moved to Saudi Arabia in another decision that was widely criticised.
Indian Express
25-04-2025
- Health
- Indian Express
Why WTA's maternity and fertility initiative is historic
For years, top-level woman athletes have faced the conundrum of choosing between sustained sporting excellence and the joy of parenthood. In a move hailed as transformative, the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) announced in March a new maternity policy that includes grants for initiatives such as egg-freezing and IVF (in-vitro fertilisation). With the WTA leading the way, other sports are also beginning to rethink how they can support their woman athletes through every phase of their lives. What is the policy? The WTA has launched a maternity and fertility initiative in partnership with Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund. The programme provides up to 12 months of paid maternity leave and financial support for fertility treatments, including egg-freezing and IVF. Over 320 players are eligible for assistance. 'This is really a groundbreaking initiative that hasn't been done in professional sports for independent contractors,' WTA CEO Portia Archer said. What are players saying? Victoria Azarenka, a two-time Grand Slam champion and WTA Players' Council member, emphasised the significance of the new policy. 'The feedback from players has actually been incredible. And it is incredibly motivating that we can make a difference. It's also important to point out that this was a player-led programme and we really pushed very hard to make it happen,' the Belarusian said. Athletes in other sports have also endorsed fertility preservation. WNBA legend Sue Bird has shared her perspective based on personal experience. 'Freezing your eggs is the obvious choice for any female who has a career. It's important to have the option,' she opined. Physical, logistical challenges Egg-freezing is a physically demanding process. It involves hormone injections, frequent monitoring and surgery for egg-retrieval. For tennis players, this can clash with training and competition. 'So much time and planning has to go into freezing your eggs,' said Sloane Stephens. 'You have to do it the first week of your off-season if you don't want it to affect your game. These logistics are a barrier for people.' Is there ranking protection? While the WTA currently provides protected rankings for players returning from maternity leave, it does not yet extend that to players undergoing fertility preservation. 'It's important that egg-freezing, and even IVF, be added to the protected ranking list,' Stephens said. 'That way your ranking doesn't drop and you can still enter tournaments when you're properly healed and ready to return.' Mothers on tour Recent years have seen several players returning to elite competition after becoming mothers. Elina Svitolina, who won a WTA title in Rouen in 2024 after giving birth, spoke about the journey. 'Being a mother is a journey of love, sacrifice and unconditional devotion,' she said. Her return, and those of Serena Williams, Kim Clijsters and several others, shows that motherhood and professional tennis need not be mutually exclusive. How does tennis compare to other sports? Other professional sports have taken steps, but tennis stands out for offering a tour-wide, consistent policy. By contrast, benefits in team sports are often dependent on individual contracts or clubs. In the WNBA, the 2020 collective bargaining agreement includes reimbursement for adoption, surrogacy, and fertility treatments. In the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), clubs such as Racing Louisville and Gotham FC have partnered with fertility clinics to offer subsidised egg-freezing and embryo storage. What does this mean for the future of women's tennis? The WTA policy not only helps preserve players' fertility but also normalises conversations around family planning. With top athletes now leading by example, this could inspire wider change across sport. 'This type of programme will open a bigger door for many women to feel secure in their careers and not have to choose between being a mother and being an athlete,' Azarenka said. Cultural shift Beyond the policies, what's changing is the culture. Players now speak openly about fertility, not just as a private matter but as part of career planning. Maria Sharapova, now retired, has become an advocate and investor in fertility-focused start-ups. 'When women have the opportunity to navigate their careers on their own terms by freezing their eggs, they unlock more autonomy in all aspects of their lives,' she has said.
