From Serena to systemic change: How the WTA is supporting women's fertility choices

When Serena Williams returned to the tennis court in 2018 after giving birth to her daughter Olympia, she had to do so from outside the world's top 400 rankings.

This, despite being the world number one when she stepped away for maternity leave.

It was a stark reminder that even at the highest levels of elite sport, women were being penalised for choosing to have a family.

Now, in a major win for female athletes, the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) has announced it will protect players' rankings while they undergo fertility procedures - including egg freezing, IVF, and other medical treatments related to family planning.

This game-changing move signals a powerful shift in how sport supports the personal and medical realities of its players.

For so long, female athletes have been forced to make impossible choices between their careers and their fertility, between motherhood and maintaining momentum on the court.

Serena's experience sparked a global conversation.

Her resilience and public advocacy opened the door for structural reform - and now, the WTA is stepping up.

This policy change recognises what many women already know - fertility isn't just a "private" matter.

It's a health issue, a workplace issue, and for athletes - a career-defining one.

The physical demands of fertility treatments, the emotional toll, and the recovery periods are real.

Protecting rankings during these times is a long-overdue acknowledgment that female athletes are not machines - they are people with reproductive timelines that deserve respect and support.

This isn't just about Serena.

It's about every rising star on the circuit who has ambitions both on the court and in their personal life.

It's about building a world where women don't have to choose between their fertility and their future.

We've come a long way. And today, we thank the WTA for listening, learning, and leading the charge.

Let's hope more sporting bodies around the world take note.

- Image sourced from Serena Williams' official Instagram account.