WTA's New Policy Supports Female Players' Fertility Choices

The Women's Tennis Association (WTA) has introduced a groundbreaking policy to support female players who choose to freeze their eggs or embryos. This initiative allows players ranked within the world's top 750 to protect their ranking if they take more than 10 weeks off for fertility treatments.

Sloane Stephens Advocates for Change

Sloane Stephens, the 2017 US Open champion, has been a vocal advocate for this policy. Having undergone the procedure herself, Stephens emphasizes the importance of allowing players adequate recovery time without the pressure to return to competition prematurely.

"The first time I did it, I rushed back and I was overweight and not happy - and just very stressed out," Stephens shared with BBC Sport. "The second time I did it I took a totally different approach so I could just be in better shape: I could have the surgery, I could have more time to recover."

Details of the Ranking Protection

Players utilizing this new policy can use a special ranking, calculated as an average of their ranking over a 12-week period before and during their leave, to enter up to three tournaments within 10 weeks of their return. However, this protected ranking cannot be used for WTA's premier 1000 events, encouraging players to schedule treatments during less intense periods of the season.

Broader Support for Female Athletes

This move by the WTA is part of a broader effort to support female athletes in balancing their professional careers with personal health decisions. The WTA has also introduced paid maternity leave and grants to help cover the costs of fertility treatments, ensuring that players have the resources they need during these critical times.

Impact on the Sport

Tennis is not the first sport to offer such support; the WNBA provides reimbursements for fertility treatments, including egg freezing. High-profile athletes across various sports have spoken about their decisions to freeze their eggs, highlighting the importance of such policies in professional sports.

This policy not only supports the physical and mental health of players but also sets a precedent for other sports organizations to follow, ensuring that female athletes can pursue both their professional and personal goals without compromise.