WTA Supports Female Tennis Players with Fertility Procedures

• The WTA has implemented new rules to support female tennis players undergoing fertility procedures.
• Female athletes can receive a special ranking to participate in tournaments after taking a break.
• Andy Murray has called for changes in the tradition of trophy awards given to winners.

This was reported by Asharq Al-Awsat, Marca.

New WTA Rules to Support Female Athletes

The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) has announced that female tennis players undergoing fertility preservation procedures can take a break from the sport and return with a protected ranking. This initiative responds to the need for women to balance family and career goals.

The rule, introduced three months after the announcement of paid maternity leave for female tennis players, allows athletes undergoing procedures such as egg or embryo freezing to return to competition with a special ranking. Under the new conditions, players can obtain a Special Entry Ranking (SER) to participate in three tournaments based on their average ranking over the 12 weeks prior to their absence.

Sloane Stephens, the 2017 US Open champion, praised the initiative, calling it a "turning point" for women’s tennis. She emphasized the importance of creating a safe environment for women considering fertility options.

Criticism of Traditions in Tennis

At the same time, tennis player Andy Murray expressed dissatisfaction with the tradition of awarding trophies for tournament wins. After Coco Gauff's victory at the French Open, she revealed that the actual trophy received by players is smaller than the one displayed during the ceremony.

Murray urged organizers to make changes to the trophies, noting that they should be larger. His comments drew attention to traditions in tennis, as well as the new WTA initiatives aimed at improving the status of women in the sport.

These changes have also been made possible by an agreement with the Saudi Arabian Public Investment Fund, which provides financial support for the development of women’s tennis. The initial initiatives, such as fertility support, indicate efforts to make the sport more inclusive.

Теги: Спорт/Теніс