The Women’s Tennis Association has recently approved rule changes regarding seedings for players returning to the tour after pregnancy, following much debate. Notably, former No. 1 players Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka are among the mothers competing on the tour.
Under the new rule, players making a comeback can opt for a “special ranking” for up to three years from the birth of their child. Exceptions may be granted for seedings at major events. The WTA ensures that female players in its tournaments are not penalized for wearing leggings or compression shorts without additional attire.
Serena Williams, a highly accomplished player with 23 Grand Slam singles titles, notably competed unseeded in this year’s French Open, her first major tournament since giving birth. Earlier this year, the French Tennis Federation banned her iconic black leggings at the tournament.
While the number of tennis coaches on the ATP and WTA tours continues to rise significantly, top players, despite their success, do not always have stable coaching arrangements.
Coaches play a significant role in guiding WTA professionals during matches, with millions of viewers observing and trusting their expertise. At the recent US Open, Naomi Osaka’s coach, Sascha Bajin, held a well-attended news conference, while Serena Williams’ coach, Patrick Mouratoglou, faced heightened scrutiny following their disagreement during the final.
