The WTA has taken a significant step to support its players who become or want to be mothers by creating a fund program that provides financial support to those wishing to take time off to be with their newborn children.
Some WTA players have spoken about the lack of a system to help those who have children. Victoria Azarenka, who returned to tennis after giving birth to her son, Leo, in December 2016, has been a particularly vocal critic of the lack of support.
Belinda Bencic and Petra Kvitova were the most recent players to return from maternity leave. Incredibly, Bencic won the 2025 Abu Dhabi Open just a few months after coming back to tennis.
Azarenka and others are delighted by the WTA’s announcement of the Maternity Fund program, in partnership with the Saudi Public Investment Fund. Over 320 players on the WTA Tour can avail of 12 months of paid maternity leave, a huge step that will help many players.
However, that is not the only measure. There is also the option of two months of paid parental leave and grants for egg and embryo freezing and IVF treatment for those who want to have children in the future.
Azarenka could not hide her delight when speaking to the WTA website about the program. She is particularly happy that the Maternity Fund will support lower-ranked players without as much financial stability.
“I come from a very difficult background, but I’ve been fortunate to make a good living. And it crossed my mind, how is it for other players who are barely making ends meet? What is incredible about this program is that we’ve created an outlet for not only our full members but have an opportunity to involve our associate members, our lower-ranked players.”
The WTA also recently extended the window for players to return from maternity leave from two to three years. Azarenka also endorses that decision, saying some need more time away after having a child and do not get the opportunity to return as quickly.
“Because not everybody has the opportunity to play right away. Not everybody has help. Physical conditioning can be challenging to regain, so I think it offers another level of opportunity for players.”
“Although recently we’ve had some players come back after six months and play well — that’s really remarkable — I felt that it was very important to extend that break window, that players have more time if they need it. I think [motherhood] is the greatest thing in life and this gives players the opportunity and cushion in life that you don’t have to worry as much about financial difficulties.”
The recent ATX Open champion Jessica Pegula is also excited about the Maternity Fund Program. She recently turned 31 and has considered the measures needed to have children while being a tennis player, or what is required to wait until after retirement.
“I just turned 31, and you have to start thinking about surrogates, IVF, freezing your eggs — those are all really stressful. I don’t think people realize what goes into it. There’s a lot of steps, things that can go wrong, things that might not work. It’s expensive and time-consuming.”
“I’m excited about getting this out there and having people say, ‘Oh, that’s an amazing initiative and more people should do it.’ Hopefully that will lead to education and discussion even outside the tennis world.”
