• WTA introduces protected rankings for female players undergoing fertility procedures.
• Players can take time off for egg freezing and return safely to competition.
• Eligible players receive a Special Entry Ranking for up to three tournaments.
• New policy follows the introduction of paid maternity leave for players.
• Sloane Stephens calls the rule a "ground-breaking" initiative for women's athletics.

In a significant step for women's athletics, the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) has announced that female players who undergo fertility treatments will have their rankings protected during this period. This initiative is open to players ranked in the top 750 who spend more than 10 weeks out of competition due to procedures such as egg or embryo freezing, aiming to support the balance of family life and career ambitions among athletes. The new framework allows these players to utilize a Special Entry Ranking (SER) to compete in up to three tournaments upon their return, calculated based on their average ranking from the 12 weeks leading up to their time away, according to BBC, Channel News Asia, and Reuters.

Sloane Stephens, the 2017 U.S. Open champion, expressed her support for this policy, calling it "ground-breaking." Stephens emphasized the nuanced conversation surrounding female athletes' family and career choices, asserting that this new measure creates a "safe space" for athletes to explore their options without the pressure of compromising their health or athletic performance. The introduction of this policy aligns with the WTA's previous decision to provide up to 12 months of paid maternity leave for players, which is a part of ongoing efforts to enhance support for female players, according to BBC, Channel News Asia, and Reuters.

Additionally, the WTA has announced that players undergoing fertility treatments will have access to grants for these procedures through the newly established WTA Maternity Fund, which is supported by the Saudi Public Investment Fund. This initiative further underscores the WTA's commitment to addressing the unique challenges faced by female athletes, facilitating their ability to manage their athletic careers alongside family planning. This comprehensive support system reflects a growing recognition of the importance of player welfare in professional tennis, as noted in reports from BBC, Channel News Asia, and Reuters.