Latest news with #SloaneStephens
Independent Singapore
13-06-2025
- Health
- Independent Singapore
WTA now protects rankings of players undergoing fertility procedures
The Women's Tennis Association (WTA) recently announced that it now protects the rankings of female athletes who wish to take time off the sport for fertility procedures, such as egg or embryo freezing. This new rule followed after the governing body introduced up to 12 months of paid maternity leave for players. This applies to athletes who are ranked in the top 750 and who are out for over 10 weeks. Eligible athletes will get a special ranking to enter up to three tournaments once they return to the sport. With this, WTA aims to support female athletes to balance their careers and family planning. ' 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,' the WTA said in a statement. Moreover, the WTA also announced that athletes will receive grants for fertility treatments through the WTA Maternity Fund, sponsored by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF). The governing body also has a health team that offers physical check-ups, mental health support, and consultation for pregnant players and new mothers. See also Emma Raducanu suffers first-round loss at the Abu Dhabi Open Sloane Stephens, the 2017 US Open champion, was among those who previously called for egg freezing to be included under protected ranking. 'For any woman, the conversation of family life versus a career is nuanced and complex… The WTA has now created a safe space for players to explore options and to make the best decisions for themselves… It's truly ground-breaking and will empower this generation, and future generations of players, to continue with the sport they love without having to compromise,' she shared. In a social media post, WTA shared the news with the caption: 'We are proud to introduce a groundbreaking Special Eligibility Ranking Rule, offering players protected rankings while undergoing fertility protection procedures. 💫' Netizens largely praised the move, calling it an empowering moment for women in sports. Many celebrated it as a step in the right direction for gender equality and athlete support. 'I love this! So glad that this type of action is taking place. It's the only way forward🔥🙌🏼' and 'No personal interest in having kids but this is a huge W for women! Proud of this sport. 🙌🏼' See also Amanda Anisimova wins her first WTA 1000 title Tennis is not the first sport to support fertility procedures for female athletes. The WNBA also offers $60,000 (£52,500) to cover female basketball athletes' fertility treatments, which also include egg freezing. Indeed, governing bodies are now determined to support women athletes in planning their family life without compromising their sporting career.
Asharq Al-Awsat
12-06-2025
- Health
- Asharq Al-Awsat
WTA: Players Undergoing Fertility Procedures to Get Protected Ranking
Female players who choose to undergo a fertility protection procedure will be allowed to take time away from the sport and return to competitive action with a protected ranking, the governing body of women's tennis (WTA) said on Wednesday. The new rule aims to support women athletes to balance their family goals and career ambitions and comes three months after the WTA offered players up to 12 months of paid maternity leave for the first time. "The new rule means that players can now take time away from professional tennis for a fertility protection procedure such as egg or embryo freezing and safely return to competition with a protected ranking," the WTA said in a statement, according to Reuters. "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." Sloane Stephens, the 2017 US Open champion, has previously called for egg freezing to be recognized as a protected ranking activity and called Wednesday's announcement a "ground-breaking" move. "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," the former world number three said. "The WTA has now created a safe space for players to explore options and to make the best decisions for themselves." The WTA also said players will benefit from paid maternity leave and grants for fertility protection through the WTA Maternity Fund.
Japan Times
12-06-2025
- Health
- Japan Times
WTA players undergoing fertility treatments to receive protected ranking
Female tennis players who take time off to freeze eggs or embryos will have their ranking protected, the WTA Tour announced on Wednesday. Players ranked from No. 1 to 750 in singles or doubles who spend at least 10 consecutive weeks out of competition for a "fertility protection procedure" are eligible. The ranking can be used to enter up to three tournaments, but the policy does not apply to the premier 1000 events. The special ranking will be based on the 12-week average of a player's WTA ranking from eight weeks prior to the start of their out-of-competition period. Sloane Stephens, the 2017 U.S. Open champion, told the BBC the rule will reduce the pressure on players to return to the court too quickly. Stephens said she has twice previously used the offseason to freeze her eggs. The 32-year-old said in the WTA statement that she was "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," she said. "The WTA has now created a safe space for players to explore options and to make the best decisions for themselves." The WTA said in a statement that the "Fertility Protection Special Entry Ranking Rule" would enhance the existing package of benefits to help players combine family life with tennis. "We understand that professional athletes can face a dilemma between focusing on their career and starting a family, and we are committed to supporting WTA players as they navigate and balance the choices associated with career and family," WTA CEO Portia Archer said. In March, the WTA and Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund (PIF) announced the introduction of a maternity fund program, giving players paid maternity leave for up to 12 months and access to grants for fertility treatments. The PIF is a global partner of the WTA Tour.
Washington Post
12-06-2025
- Health
- Washington Post
WTA to provide ranking protection for players pursuing fertility treatments
In a move described as 'groundbreaking,' the WTA announced Wednesday it will provide rankings protection to players who take a break from the tour to undergo fertility procedures such as egg or embryo freezing. 'Having the protected ranking there, so that players don't feel forced to come back early and risk their health again,' 2017 U.S. Open champion Sloane Stephens said to the BBC Wednesday, 'is the best thing possible.'
ABC News
12-06-2025
- Health
- ABC News
Female tennis players undergoing fertility procedures to get protected ranking
Female players who choose to undergo a fertility protection procedure will be allowed to take time away from the sport and return to competitive action with a protected ranking, the governing body of women's tennis has said. The new rule aims to support women athletes to balance their family goals and career ambitions, and comes three months after the WTA offered players up to 12 months of paid maternity leave for the first time. "The new rule means that players can now take time away from professional tennis for a fertility protection procedure, such as egg or embryo freezing, and safely return to competition with a protected ranking," the WTA said in a statement on Wednesday. "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." Sloane Stephens, the 2017 US Open champion, has previously called for egg freezing to be recognised as a protected ranking activity, and called Wednesday's announcement a "ground-breaking" move. "I'm incredibly proud of our sport in recognising the importance of fertility treatments for female athletes. For any woman, the conversation of family life versus a career is nuanced and complex," the former world number three said. "The WTA has now created a safe space for players to explore options and to make the best decisions for themselves." The WTA also said players will benefit from paid maternity leave and grants for fertility protection through the WTA Maternity Fund sponsored by the Saudi Public Investment Fund.
