The WTA updated its rules before the 2019 season, making it easier to return to the tour after a maternity break.
Postpartum women players can now enter 12 tournaments within three years following the birth of their child using their previous ranking. On the other hand, maternity compensation should be the next step for the WTA, according to Victoria Azarenka, who gave birth to her son Leo in 2016.
Azarenka expressed her remarks about it earlier and said: “There’s a lot more that has to change and I hope that we are on the right track to do it. I think the important part is to change the financial part of maternity leave. I think that would be a huge win for women in general, so I hope we find the resources to be able to do that. I think that would be incredible. I have, I’m guessing, more financial security than some players who may be outside the top 100 and maybe have the same desires and ambitions to have a child and continue to do their job.”
Naomi Osaka also endorsed this stance and said: “I think it would be life-changing and I feel like having a kid shouldn’t feel like a punishment. For most female athletes, I think there’s a discussion that your career’s going to change dramatically or finish because you have a kid, so just appreciating them more and giving more options is very necessary.”
Following talks at the WTA Finals last year, chief executive Steve Simon wrote to top players that maternity coverage is an issue planned for review. Since then, the WTA has not released any updates.
Naomi Osaka in 2024
Currently the world no.287, the Japanese played her last match on the 11th of March when she surrendered to world no.28 Elise Mertens 7-5 6-4
in the 3rd round in Indian Wells (draw).Until now, during this year Naomi owns a composed 5-5 win-loss record.
Victoria Azarenka in 2024
Currently ranked no.30, Azarenka played her last match on the 9th of March when she lost to world no.51 Caroline Dolehide 7-5 2-6 6-3 in the 2nd round in Indian Wells (draw).
This year the Belarussian achieved a compiled 10-5 record. Victoria Azarenka’s best result of this year was getting to the semifinal in Brisbane.
Naomi Osaka and Victoria Azarenka clashed against each other 4 times. Their head to head is 3-1 for Osaka. Before, the last time they competed against each other, Naomi Osaka won 1-6 6-3 6-3 in the final in New York (U.S. Open) in September 2020.
You can watch the highlights in the following video.
Naomi Osaka and Victoria Azarenka |
| Embed from Getty Images |