The WTA And Hologic On Advancing Women's Sports Healthcare

Forbes

a day ago

Gaby Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe won the women's doubles title at the Rothesay Open in Nottingham ... More in 2024.
The WTA has a proud legacy of prioritizing athlete health, rooted in the vision of the Original 9 and Billie Jean King. Early on, the WTA recognized that simply treating injuries wasn't enough. Female athletes face unique challenges like motherhood and career transitions that demand a proactive, integrated approach to care.
Over the years, the WTA has continually evolved to meet these needs, offering support that includes international health coverage, mental health resources, special ranking protections for pregnancy and injury, and on-site access to physicians, physical therapists, and more.
In 2022, the WTA took its commitment to athlete health even further through a groundbreaking partnership with Hologic, a global leader in women's health and medical technology.
This collaboration is centered on a shared mission: to redefine what wellness looks like for women competing at the highest levels—and to extend those benefits beyond the court. Highlights of this partnership include:
WTA Hologic Healthcare, Horizon DXA System
Reflecting on her 30 years with the WTA, Kathleen Stroia, the WTA's Senior Vice President of Performance Health, sees the current moment as a turning point—not just for tennis, but for all of women's sports.
'Historically, women's sports medicine has taken a reactive approach,' says Stroia. 'It focused on treating injuries after they occurred. What we've created with Hologic is a proactive, integrated model specifically designed for the unique physiology and life experiences of female athletes.'
'When I started, there was very little data or research on women athletes. Most medical protocols were designed for men and scaled down for us,' she says. 'Today, we're leading with research, innovating with intent, and setting a new gold standard—one where athlete care and performance health go hand in hand.'
The WTA offers the most comprehensive annual physicals in women's sports. Players undergo advanced screening that includes DXA scans to assess bone density and body composition, crucial data points that help identify risks early and tailor training regimens accordingly.
PARIS, FRANCE - MAY 29: Jessica Pegula of the United States in action against Ann Li of the United ... More States in the second round of the singles competition on Court Philippe-Chatrier during the 2025 French Open Tennis Tournament at Roland Garros on May 29th, 2025, in Paris, France. (Photo by)
Just as importantly, the WTA provides dedicated women's health stations at tournaments, giving players convenient access to services that are rarely prioritized in other sports, such as breast and cervical screenings, hormone evaluations, fertility education, and professional bra fittings.
'It's like going to a world-class women's clinic that's built into your career,' says Jessica Pegula, currently ranked among the world's top singles players. 'In one session, I learned more about my hormone levels, bone health, and long-term fertility options than I ever had from years of separate appointments. I walked away with clarity, not just for tennis but for my future as a woman.'
RIYADH, SAUDI ARABIA - NOVEMBER 07: Gabriela Dabrowski of Canada hits pink signed tennis balls for ... More breast cancer awareness into the crowd with Erin Routliffe of New Zealand i(out of pic) after their victory against Caroline Dolehide of the United States and Desirae Krawczyk of the United States in their round robin doubles match during Day 6 of the 2024 WTA Finals Riyadh as part of the Hologic WTA Tour at King Saud University Indoor Arena on November 07, 2024 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. (Photo by)
For Canadian doubles champion Gaby Dabrowski, the WTA's commitment to proactive health screening became deeply personal.
'I had found a lump and mentioned it during my annual WTA physical,' Dabrowski recalls. 'Because of that, they fast-tracked me for a scan and biopsy. That's when I was diagnosed with breast cancer. It was early. And that timing changed everything.'
Dabrowski says the medical support from the WTA and the emotional support from Stroia's team carried her through diagnosis, treatment, and recovery.
'They didn't just check the box. They surrounded me with care, experts, counselors, even someone to walk me through nutrition during chemo. Kathleen called me personally to check in. It felt like I had an entire family behind me,' Dabrowski says.
'People think of the WTA as a sports organization, but at that moment, they were my healthcare lifeline. If I had waited or ignored it, my story might have been very different.'
Dabrowski has since returned to the tour and is sharing her story to encourage other athletes and fans to advocate for their health. 'Early detection saved my life. Every woman deserves access to that.'
WTA Hologic Health Screening 2024
According to Stroia, one of the keys to the WTA's success has been its commitment to listening to players and responding in real time.
'Our athletes are not just recipients of care, they're co-creators,' she explains. 'Whether it's about mental health, maternity leave, or injury recovery, we take their input and build policies and services that reflect their realities.'
This player-driven approach led to the 2019 overhaul of the Special Ranking Rule, championed by Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka, to better protect rankings for athletes returning from maternity leave or injury.
It's also influenced the expansion of mental health resources, including a dedicated mental health care team that travels to major tournaments and provides virtual support year-round.
'Mental health is just as important as physical health, especially in a sport where you're constantly on the road and under pressure,' says Pegula. 'Having access to licensed professionals who understand the demands of the tour has been a game-changer for so many of us.'
The WTA has worked to remove barriers by streamlining access to specialists and empowering athletes with knowledge. From nutritionists and sleep experts to injury-prevention research and on-demand telehealth, the infrastructure now reflects a holistic approach to peak performance.
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 09: Blair Henley speaks at the ceremony honoring the induction of the ... More Original 9 into the International Tennis Hall of Fame on Day Eleven of the 2021 US Open at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on September 09, 2021 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. (Photo)
The WTA's groundbreaking approach to women's athlete health is more than a model for tennis, it's a blueprint for women's sports.
By combining cutting-edge science, player-driven policies, and compassionate care, they're proving that investing in women's health is both the right thing to do and smart business.
As Kathleen Stroia puts it, 'Athlete care is performance care.'
With expanded health screenings, mental health resources, fertility support, and innovative partnerships like the one with Hologic, the WTA raised the bar for what athlete wellness truly means.
Stories like Gaby Dabrowski's show how proactive care can be lifesaving, while ongoing initiatives empower players to shape their own health journeys.
This holistic, forward-thinking model doesn't just support elite athletes, it has the power to transform health standards for all women athletes. The WTA's commitment ensures that comprehensive, equitable women's health services are no longer a dream but the new standard and a legacy that will continue to inspire the future of women's sports worldwide.