\n<\/p>\n
Grants have also recently been made available towards the cost of any fertility treatment, and earlier this year the WTA introduced paid maternity leave for the first time.<\/p>\n
More than 320 players are now eligible for up to 12 months paid leave – with everyone receiving the same amount, irrespective of their ranking.<\/p>\n
Returning to the tour after maternity leave started to become easier when the WTA changed the rules before the 2019 season.<\/p>\n
New mothers are able to use their previous ranking to enter 12 tournaments over a three-year period from the birth of their child.<\/p>\n
The WTA also offers access to a health team, which offers physical assessments, mental health support and guidance on a staged return to play for new mothers and pregnant players.<\/p>\n
German Tatjana Maria, who is ranked 81st in the world, has two children and returned to the tour after both pregnancies. <\/p>\n
The 37-year-old welcomed the action by the WTA but believes more can be done to assist mothers on tour.<\/p>\n
“I think there is still opportunities to help the WTA players and the mums on tour,” she told BBC Radio 5 live.<\/p>\n
“Even now having two kids on tour there are still issues. The WTA could change a little bit, whether it is [related to] hotel rooms or accreditation to make life easier. <\/p>\n
“It is helpful to help [as they are doing] but also to help the mums on tour.”<\/p>\n
Tennis is not the first sport to offer support to women wishing to freeze their eggs, with the American basketball league the WNBA offering up to $60,000 (\u00a352,500) reimbursement to players for fertility treatment including egg freezing. <\/p>\n
High-profile athletes have spoken about their decision to freeze their eggs, including England cricket captain Nat Sciver-Brunt<\/a> and former England netballer Geva Mentor. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n