Serena Williams has welcomed the extra protection given to new mothers when they return to the women's tennis tour.
The World Tennis Association rule changes were agreed on this month and are meant to ensure players are not penalised after they return from pregnancy or an injury that causes a long absence.
The changes were prompted in part by the experiences of former No. 1 players Williams and Victoria Azarenka, both of whom returned to competition after giving birth.
The World Tennis Association announced that players returning to the tour may use a special ranking for up to three years after the birth of a child, and the exemption can be used for seedings at big events.
Williams was unseeded at the French Open in her first major since the birth of her daughter — despite having won the previous major she played, the 2017 Australian Open.
Williams was seeded 25th at Wimbledon and 17th at the U.S. Open, and she reached the finals and lost at both of those majors.
[Source: TVNZ]
