Tennis Organization Modifies Ranking Rules Post-Pregnancy, Aids Serena Williams' Return
Tennis's leading organization announced changes to its specific ranking regulations, which will come into effect in 2019. According to this new rule, a player's ranking will be frozen upon being injured, ill, or pregnant.
Incorporating these alterations, players recuperating from pregnancies or prolonged injuries can employ their specialized rankings beyond competitions and for seeding purposes. This timeframe commences at the birth of the child, and players can utilize this 'special ranking' for a staggering three years.
The association highlighted that these modifications would facilitate the re-entry of aspiring mothers into the sport.
Former World No. 1 Victoria Azarenka endorsed the updates, stating, "Our players should feel confident leaving to start families or recover from injuries, and I believe these new regulations support that." Azarenka, the current World No. 1 and two-time Grand Slam champion, returned to the court post-childbirth in 2018.
"This is a fantastic first step, and we'll build upon it as we continue scouting opportunities to amplify the significance of work and tour commitments from mothers," added Azarenka. As a member of the Players Council, she voiced her commitment to ensuring the WTA remains the most progressive and elite organization in sports, pioneering inclusive bodies."
A player who stays out of action for 52 weeks or longer can utilize this special affordance for 12 matches. Should a player qualify for the tournament placement due to her unique ranking, she'll be designated as an 'additional seed list.' This designation assigns her to a randomly available draw slot, ensuring no other seeded player competes in the first round. Consequently, no player is displaced from their rightful spot.
"These changes will significantly support the re-entry of players into competition while upholding the highest standards of sporting competition and fairness," claimed Steve Simon, WTA CEO.
These modifications may aid Serena Williams, who clinched the Australian Open 2017 while pregnant, securing her 23rd Grand Slam singles title. Upon her return post-childbirth in March 2018, she was unseeded at both Indian Wells and Miami events, losing the initial matches. She also debuted unseeded at the French Open, her first Grand Slam tournament since her comeback.
Moreover, women participating in WTA events will face no penalty for opting for leggings or compression shorts, yet shorts, dresses, and skirts remain prohibited. Serena Williams stirred widespread attention during the French Open, one of the four Grand Slam tournaments, by sporting a jersey with reference to her earlier experiences of blood clots.
Controversy erupted when Bernard Giudicelli, president of the French Tennis Federation, announced plans to introduce a "dress code" for Roland Garros, banning attire deemed inappropriate.
Grand Slam tournaments adhere to unique rules that may vary from the WTA Championships.
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While the WTA ranking system does not have explicit rules for pregnant players, it does provide a framework for players returning after a break. Let's see how these rules might impact Serena Williams' comeback:
- Ranking Points: The WTA Tour employs a ranking system based on points accumulated from tournament performances. Players who take a break, including those who are pregnant, do not lose their ranking points immediately. However, if they stay away from competition for an extended duration, their ranking naturally drops as a result of points accrued by other players.
- Return to Competition: When Serena Williams returned to tennis after giving birth, she faced physical challenges from pregnancy-related health issues and required time to regain her competitive edge. She withdrew from several tournaments initially, including the 2018 Australian Open, citing insufficient preparation. Her comeback at the 2018 French Open was gradual and fraught with injuries and other setbacks.
- Special Considerations: Although there are no specific rules for pregnant players, the WTA Tour has been accommodating to athletes taking maternity leave. For instance, players like Belinda Bencic and Petra Kvitova resumed competitive tennis post-motherhood, with Bencic posting impressive results shortly after her return.
- Wildcard Entries: In certain instances, players returning from maternity leave or extended breaks may be granted wildcard entries into tournaments to assist them in acclimating back to the competition. This was the case for Venus Williams, who secured a wildcard entry for the 2025 Indian Wells Masters at age 44.
In conclusion, while there is no specific rulebook for pregnant players, the WTA Tour's general policies on breaks and wildcard entries can facilitate players such as Serena Williams' re-entry into competition following a period of absence.
