Female tennis players who choose to undergo a fertility protection procedure, such as egg or embryo freezing, will have their ranking protected.

The Women’s Tennis Association announced the new rule to help support female athletes in balancing their family goals and career ambitions, and it will be open to any player ranked in the world’s top 750 who spends more than 10 weeks out of competition.

It comes three months after the governing body offered players up to 12 months of paid maternity leave for the first time.

“Eligible players will receive a Special Entry Ranking (SER), which can be used to enter up to three tournaments, based on the 12-week average of their WTA Ranking from eight weeks prior to the start of their out-of-competition period,” the WTA said in a statement.

The 2017 US Open champion, Sloane Stephens, previously called for egg freezing to be recognised as a protected ranking activity and called the decision “ground-breaking”.

“For any woman, the conversation of family life versus a career is nuanced and complex.

“The WTA has now created a safe space for players to explore options and to make the best decisions for themselves.

“It’s truly ground-breaking and will empower this generation, and future generations of players, to continue with the sport they love without having to compromise.”

The WTA also said players will benefit from paid maternity leave and grants for fertility protection through the WTA Maternity Fund sponsored by the Saudi Public Investment Fund (PIF).

Last year, England cricket captain Nat Sciver-Brunt revealed on the Under the Lid podcast – co-hosted by wife and former England international Katherine – that she underwent egg-freezing treatment.

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