Sloane Stephens, the 2017 US Open champion and former world number three, has welcomed the Women’s Tennis Association’s (WTA) recent announcement allowing female players to receive protected rankings while undergoing fertility procedures. This historic effort goes a long way to alleviate a key worry halting countless women athletes from pursuing their professional ambitions as they navigate family life outside of sport.
The WTA hit a home run with their major new rule! Currently, it allows female athletes to step off the field of play for key fertility safeguarding measures such as egg or embryo freezing. This policy protects their place in the standings, ensuring they can come back to compete without being penalized. It gives them a leg up on competitive advantage when they return.
Recognizing the Importance of Fertility Treatments
Stephens has been a longtime proponent of having fertility treatments accepted and covered in professional sports. She has toed the line for egg freezing to be acknowledged as a protected ranking action. She played a big role in supporting the care for female players to actively control their reproductive decisions.
“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,” – Sloane Stephens
The implementation of the new rule marks an important and for players who qualify. According to the WTA, “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.”
A Groundbreaking Move for Women’s Sports
Stephens expressed her excitement about the WTA’s announcement, describing it as a “ground-breaking” move for women’s sports. This final decision indicates that we are slowly becoming aware of these issues experienced by female athletes. It underscores the critical intersection of family planning and economic mobility for them.
“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,” – WTA
Such measures represent a meaningful and long overdue step away from outdated perceptions of women’s health needs and professional obligations. By creating a safe space for athletes to explore their options, the WTA has taken significant strides toward inclusivity in sports.
The Future of Women’s Tennis
Athletes like Sloane Stephens are making powerful strides to create a culture and environment that respects the value of women’s sports. This new rule is a historic victory not only for tennis, but for the entire sports world. The WTA’s policy is strongly in favor of individual athletes. Perhaps most importantly, it creates a strong precedent for other sports organizations to follow suit and implement these protections.
Stephens believes that this initiative will empower players to make informed choices regarding their personal lives without feeling pressured to sacrifice their professional aspirations.
“The WTA has now created a safe space for players to explore options and to make the best decisions for themselves.” – Sloane Stephens
