Serena Williams is pleased with the new rule that offers added protection to female tennis players returning to the tour after having children. With 23 Grand Slam wins under her belt, Williams views this development as positive news, as reported by BBC Sport.
Williams noted that many young women typically start their professional careers, have children, and can now focus on playing without worrying about repercussions after pregnancy. The revised WTA rules, which were recently approved, aim to prevent penalizing players when they come back from pregnancy or injury that requires an extended absence.
These changes were influenced by the experiences of top former players like Victoria Azarenka and Williams, who both made comebacks after giving birth. The Women’s Tennis Association announced that players returning to the tour can use a protected ranking for up to three years following childbirth, including the option to be seeded in major events.
Williams shared that her personal experience has made her appreciate the significance of these rule changes, mentioning that earlier implementation could have led to different outcomes. These amendments provide a clear pathway for players returning after having children. Despite her impressive track record, Williams was not seeded in her first major tournament after giving birth, the French Open, following her victory at the Australian Open in 2017.
