The Fertility Protection Rule by WTA marks a bold, precedent-setting move in professional sports. In a world where motherhood often pauses ambition, this rule pushes the conversation forward.
When it comes to family planning, the burden still falls more heavily on women, especially those trying to balance demanding careers. Family planning, whether through natural pregnancy or assisted methods like IVF, continues to place a disproportionate burden on women. From barely adequate maternity policies to the looming risk of career setbacks, women often find themselves at a difficult crossroads. The situation becomes even more challenging for professional women athletes, who face unpredictable schedules, intense physical expectations, and, until recently, little formal support systems when it comes to starting a family.
IVF, egg freezing, and maternity leave often come with career sacrifices. In fact, over 12% of women who begin IVF end up leaving their jobs due to a lack of support from their employers. Professional women athletes face a similar burden, if not more. Until recently, there were no policies that protected their income, rankings, or contracts during maternity leave or fertility treatment. Many had no guarantees of paid maternity leave or protection from being dropped by sponsors and clubs during or after pregnancy. That has only begun to change.
WTA introduces Fertility Protection Rule
The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) recently introduced a new policy aimed at supporting women athletes who wish to pursue fertility treatments. Called the Fertility Protection Special Entry Ranking Rule, this policy ensures that the top 750 players can return to competition without losing their rankings after undergoing procedures like egg or embryo freezing.
Before this rule, any player stepping away for family planning reasons risked losing the ranking they had worked hard to earn. With rankings being a critical part of tournament placements and sponsorship deals, this risk often forced players to delay or forgo their family planning.
Fertility Protection Rule by WTA: Finally, a game-changer for women on court
Now, eligible players can receive a Special Entry Ranking (SER). That allows them to enter up to three tournaments within 10 weeks of returning to the sport. The ranking will reflect the average of their position during a 12-week period before and during their absence. However, this SER cannot be used for premier WTA 1000 events, encouraging players to schedule treatments during less intense parts of the season.
Tennis star Sloane Stephens, winner of eight WTA titles and the 2017 US Open, who has frozen her eggs twice, shared her own experience. The first time, she rushed back to the court and felt unwell, both physically and mentally. The second time, she planned better and prioritised recovery. She believes the new ranking protection rule is a game-changer.
“So having the protected ranking there, so that players don’t feel forced to come back early and risk their health again, is the best thing possible,” she told BBC Sport.
Ensuring fairness in Motherhood: WTA’s revised maternity policy
The WTA’s support doesn’t stop at rankings. As of March 2025, more than 320 players became eligible for up to 12 months of paid maternity leave. What makes this initiative stand out is its fairness, where every player receives the same benefit, regardless of ranking or popularity.
Additionally, the PIF WTA Maternity Fund now offers financial grants for fertility treatments. This new rule complements previous changes that have already made it easier for mothers to return to competition. Since 2019, players returning from maternity leave can use their pre-leave rankings to enter 12 tournaments over a three-year period. They also gain access to physical and mental health assessments to support a safe return to the court.
The CEO of WTA, Portia Archer, said, “After hearing from players that the option of fertility protection offers a proactive way to balance family goals and career ambitions, we are delighted that this new measure, alongside the fertility grant offered by the PIF WTA Maternity Fund, will contribute to enabling our athletes to realize their full potential and become parents at a time of their choice.“
Because women shouldn’t be punished for family planning
Life on the WTA tour is nonstop. Players travel around the world nearly year-round. Their performance in each event determines their ranking. Missing even a few tournaments can result in significant losses. This loss is not merely in rankings but also in earnings and endorsement opportunities. A lower ranking could mean facing stronger opponents early in a tournament. That makes it harder to move forward. This chain reaction can derail a player’s progress even after they return to full form.
Serena Williams experienced this firsthand. After taking time off for the birth of her daughter, she dropped from No. 1 in the world to No. 451. Only later did the WTA introduce the option to use a special ranking for up to three years post-childbirth.
In 2019, Olympic runners Allyson Felix, Alysia Montaño, and Kara Goucher revealed that Nike, then their sponsor, refused to pay them during pregnancy or maternity recovery. Only after their stories appeared in The New York Times did the company introduce a maternity policy.
Tennis is not the only sport that is making changes. The WNBA, the top women’s basketball league in the U.S., reimburses players up to $60,000 for fertility treatments, including egg freezing. These policies are relatively new. In many cases, they only came about after public criticism.
Fertility Protection Rule by WTA: The real win women needed
While it is encouraging to see new rules come into effect, it is essential to remember that this support shouldn’t be seen as extra perks. They are fundamental rights. For years, women in high-performance careers were expected to keep quiet about their plans to start a family.
Real progress means every athlete, every employee, and every working woman should be able to plan a family without worrying about professional fallout. Every workplace, whether in sports, business or any other field, should build an environment where women don’t have to sacrifice their health or dreams.
At Changeincontent, we believe this is not about women getting extra support. It is about women finally getting what is fair.
Also Read: Pregnant Olympians prove what women can really do.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are based on the writer’s insights, supported by data and resources available both online and offline, as applicable. Changeincontent.com is committed to promoting inclusivity across all forms of content. We broadly define inclusivity as media, policies, law, and history, encompassing all elements that influence the lives of women and marginalised individuals. Our goal is to promote understanding and advocate for comprehensive inclusivity.
