Latest news with #AngeliqueKerber
RNZ News
2 days ago
- Health
- RNZ News
Players undergoing fertility procedures to get protected ranking, says WTA
Angelique Kerber and Ash Barty hug, Wimbledon 2021. Photo: Paul Zimmer / PHOTOSPORT Female players who choose to undergo a fertility protection procedure will be allowed to take time away from the sport and return to competitive action with a protected ranking, the governing body of women's tennis has said. The new rule aims to support women athletes to balance their family goals and career ambitions and comes three months after the WTA offered players up to 12 months of paid maternity leave for the first time. "The new rule means that players can now take time away from professional tennis for a fertility protection procedure such as egg or embryo freezing and safely return to competition with a protected ranking," the WTA said in a statement. "Eligible players will receive a Special Entry Ranking (SER), which can be used to enter up to three tournaments, based on the 12-week average of their WTA Ranking from eight weeks prior to the start of their out-of-competition period." Sloane Stephens, the 2017 US Open champion, has previously called for egg freezing to be recognised as a protected ranking activity and called Wednesday's announcement a "ground-breaking" move. "I'm incredibly proud of our sport in recognising the importance of fertility treatments for female athletes. For any woman, the conversation of family life versus a career is nuanced and complex," the former world No.3 said. "The WTA has now created a safe space for players to explore options and to make the best decisions for themselves." The WTA also said players will benefit from paid maternity leave and grants for fertility protection through the WTA Maternity Fund sponsored by the Saudi Public Investment Fund. -Reuters
Straits Times
04-05-2025
- Sport
- Straits Times
Osaka wins first WTA title since maternity break
Paris 2024 Olympics - Tennis - Women's Singles First Round - Roland-Garros Stadium, Paris, France - July 27, 2024. Naomi Osaka of Japan in action during her first round match against Angelique Kerber of Germany. REUTERS/Edgar Su Four-time Grand Slam winner Naomi Osaka won her first WTA title since triumphing at the 2021 Australian Open after beating Slovenia's Kaja Juvan 6-1 7-5 in the final of the L'Open 35 de Saint-Malo - a WTA 125 tournament. It was the 27-year-old Japanese player's first WTA title since she became a mother in July 2023. Osaka struggled with her lack of power and accuracy as she failed to progress beyond the second round of any Grand Slam last year. The former world number one, who reached the third round of the Australian Open in January, is set to feature in the main draw of the French Open later this month. REUTERS Join ST's Telegram channel and get the latest breaking news delivered to you.
The Star
04-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Tennis-Osaka wins first WTA title since maternity break
Paris 2024 Olympics - Tennis - Women's Singles First Round - Roland-Garros Stadium, Paris, France - July 27, 2024. Naomi Osaka of Japan in action during her first round match against Angelique Kerber of Germany. REUTERS/Edgar Su
