Why WTA's maternity and fertility initiative is historic

Indian Express

25-04-2025

For years, top-level woman athletes have faced the conundrum of choosing between sustained sporting excellence and the joy of parenthood. In a move hailed as transformative, the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) announced in March a new maternity policy that includes grants for initiatives such as egg-freezing and IVF (in-vitro fertilisation). With the WTA leading the way, other sports are also beginning to rethink how they can support their woman athletes through every phase of their lives.
What is the policy?
The WTA has launched a maternity and fertility initiative in partnership with Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund. The programme provides up to 12 months of paid maternity leave and financial support for fertility treatments, including egg-freezing and IVF. Over 320 players are eligible for assistance.
'This is really a groundbreaking initiative that hasn't been done in professional sports for independent contractors,' WTA CEO Portia Archer said.
What are players saying?
Victoria Azarenka, a two-time Grand Slam champion and WTA Players' Council member, emphasised the significance of the new policy.
'The feedback from players has actually been incredible. And it is incredibly motivating that we can make a difference. It's also important to point out that this was a player-led programme and we really pushed very hard to make it happen,' the Belarusian said.
Athletes in other sports have also endorsed fertility preservation. WNBA legend Sue Bird has shared her perspective based on personal experience.
'Freezing your eggs is the obvious choice for any female who has a career. It's important to have the option,' she opined.
Physical, logistical challenges
Egg-freezing is a physically demanding process. It involves hormone injections, frequent monitoring and surgery for egg-retrieval. For tennis players, this can clash with training and competition.
'So much time and planning has to go into freezing your eggs,' said Sloane Stephens. 'You have to do it the first week of your off-season if you don't want it to affect your game. These logistics are a barrier for people.'
Is there ranking protection?
While the WTA currently provides protected rankings for players returning from maternity leave, it does not yet extend that to players undergoing fertility preservation.
'It's important that egg-freezing, and even IVF, be added to the protected ranking list,' Stephens said. 'That way your ranking doesn't drop and you can still enter tournaments when you're properly healed and ready to return.'
Mothers on tour
Recent years have seen several players returning to elite competition after becoming mothers. Elina Svitolina, who won a WTA title in Rouen in 2024 after giving birth, spoke about the journey.
'Being a mother is a journey of love, sacrifice and unconditional devotion,' she said.
Her return, and those of Serena Williams, Kim Clijsters and several others, shows that motherhood and professional tennis need not be mutually exclusive.
How does tennis compare to other sports?
Other professional sports have taken steps, but tennis stands out for offering a tour-wide, consistent policy. By contrast, benefits in team sports are often dependent on individual contracts or clubs.
In the WNBA, the 2020 collective bargaining agreement includes reimbursement for adoption, surrogacy, and fertility treatments.
In the National Women's Soccer League (NWSL), clubs such as Racing Louisville and Gotham FC have partnered with fertility clinics to offer subsidised egg-freezing and embryo storage.
What does this mean for the future of women's tennis?
The WTA policy not only helps preserve players' fertility but also normalises conversations around family planning. With top athletes now leading by example, this could inspire wider change across sport.
'This type of programme will open a bigger door for many women to feel secure in their careers and not have to choose between being a mother and being an athlete,' Azarenka said.
Cultural shift
Beyond the policies, what's changing is the culture. Players now speak openly about fertility, not just as a private matter but as part of career planning.
Maria Sharapova, now retired, has become an advocate and investor in fertility-focused start-ups.
'When women have the opportunity to navigate their careers on their own terms by freezing their eggs, they unlock more autonomy in all aspects of their lives,' she has said.