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Tennis: Players To Get Ranking Protection After Freezing Eggs

Female tennis players who wish to freeze eggs or embryos, so they can start a family at a later date, will have their ranking protected by the WTA Tour.

The offer is open to any player ranked in the world’s top 750 who spends more than 10 weeks out of competition.

The 2017 US Open champion Sloane Stephens says the rule will reduce the pressure on players to return to the court too quickly.

The 32-year-old, who has won eight WTA tournaments, told BBC Sport she has twice previously used the off-season to freeze her eggs.

“The first time I did it, I rushed back and I was overweight and not happy – and just very stressed out,” she said.

“The second time I did it I took a totally different approach so I could just be in better shape: I could have the surgery, I could have more time to recover.

“So having the protected ranking there, so that players don’t feel forced to come back early and risk their health again, is the best thing possible.”

Players who undergo fertility treatment will be able to use their special ranking to enter up to three tournaments within 10 weeks of their return.

The special ranking will be an average of a player’s ranking over a 12-week period before and during their leave.

Players will not, however, be able to use this ranking to enter one of the WTA’s premier 1000 events, as the tour wants to encourage players to undertake the procedure at a quieter time of the season.

“It’s all trial and error, everyone’s body is different,” Stephens added.

“Someone might be out for three months, someone might be out for one week.

“Some people gain a tonne of weight, some people can go back immediately. I think when you are family planning, it’s better if you have that support.”

Stephens says she was a strong advocate for such a measure when a member of the WTA Players’ Council, and the tour’s chief executive Portia Archer confirms the move was player-led.

“It was very much at the instigation of the players,” she said.

“We want to really help players address this conundrum where peak athletic performance coincides with the time period of peak fertility, so players are often faced with this tough choice of how to really maximise and optimise those years.”

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.

More than 320 players are now eligible for up to 12 months paid leave – with everyone receiving the same amount, irrespective of their ranking.

Returning to the tour after maternity leave started to become easier when the WTA changed the rules before the 2019 season.

New mothers are able to use their previous ranking to enter 12 tournaments over a three-year period from the birth of their child.

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.

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 (£52,500) reimbursement to players for fertility treatment including egg freezing.

High-profile athletes have spoken about their decision to freeze their eggs, including England cricket captain Nat Sciver-Brunt and former England netballer Geva Mentor.

Bbc.com

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NSC Hails Junior D’Tigress On Winning Start At FIBA U19 Women’s World Cup

The National Sports Commission (NSC) has congratulated the Junior D’Tigress of Nigeria for their remarkable start to the FIBA U19 Women’s Basketball World Cup in Czech Republic.

The Nigerian U19 Women’s Basketball Team secured a thrilling 93-88 victory over China in their opening group match.

Despite trailing 44-38 at halftime, the Nigerian girls mounted a spirited comeback in the second half, showcasing resilience, skill, and heart.

NSC Chairman, Mallam Shehu Dikko, hailed the performance as a “victory of belief and preparation,” commending the athletes for making the nation proud on the global stage.

“This victory is not just a win on the court—it is a statement of what Nigerian sports can achieve with focus, teamwork, and the right support. Our J’Tigress U19 girls have demonstrated courage and resilience, and we are extremely proud of them,” said Mallam Shehu Dikko.

Furthermore, Director General of the National Sports Commission, Hon. Bukola Olopade, praised the team’s fighting spirit and discipline:

“Today’s triumph is a testament to the growing strength of women’s basketball in Nigeria. The composure, technical discipline, and collective effort from the players and coaching crew speak volumes. We salute the J’Tigress and assure them of our full support as they progress in the tournament.”

The standout performer of the day, rising basketball star Nora Ezike, delivered an electrifying performance with 25 points—16 of them in the decisive fourth quarter—to help seal the memorable win for Nigeria.

The NSC extends its congratulations to the team, coaching staff, and all stakeholders involved in this success, encouraging Nigerians at home and in the diaspora to continue supporting the team as they aim for further glory at the World Cup.

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Nigeria’s Valentine Chiemelie Thinks Big Ahead CAA Athletics Championship

A dominant figure in Team Nigeria to the Confederation of Africa Athletics U-18/U-20 Championship, Valentine Chiemelie, on Saturday, expressed happiness in representing Nigeria at the event.

He made his feelings known in an exclusive interview with your authoritative and award-winning news channel, FIRST ZEALMEDIACAST BLOG’S Oluwatobiloba Zeal-Adepetu Kumoye.

He stated that this is his first time representing Nigeria, and he will do everything within his power to make it count.

The terrific javelinist made his presence felt in Shagamu, during the National Trials and is very confident he can make it happen again, at the Rock City, Abeokuta, Ogun State during the championship.

“I’m happy to be representing Nigeria on the continental stage, I’m a bit nervous, it’s my first dawning the colours of my country, but I will make my presence felt,” he said.

He emphasized that he had begun training for this moment, immediately after the MTN Championship Grand Finale Season 3.

“I’ve been training for the trials for a time, after I came back from the MTN Championship Grand Finale Season 3, which I had my javelin throw there and I won a bronze medal, I was so excited and very happy, and then I started training for the National Trials, although not intensely, I thank God that I made it in this trials, God has been my backbone all the way,” Valentine stated.

He commended the Athletics Federation of Nigeria, (AFN) and the Nigeria Sports Commission, (NSC), for the pre-championship camping, stressing that it has been a platform for athletes to sharpen their skills.

He went on to add that the camp has been a memorable one for him as athletes have been given the best from feeding to accommodation.

“The camp is going great, the accommodation is excellent, the feeding is great, training has been exceptional,” he added.

Over 700 athletes will be participating in the age grade competition, slated for July 16-20, 2025.

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Wrestling: Lt Col Okou Urges Customs Comptroller General To Run For NWF Presidential Election

An International Wrestling referee, Lieutenant Colonel Okou Femedein Timipre, has called on the Comptroller General of Nigeria Customs Service, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi MFR to present himself as the Armed Forces, Police and Paramilitary constituency’s presidential candidate ahead of the Nigeria Wrestling Federation Elections

The call became imperative considering the Customs Boss’ antecedents to sports development, particularly Wrestling

Lt Col Okou, in a statement issued out said relatively Comptroller Adeniyi, has shown distinctive attributes and characteristics, indicating how well he satisfies requirements and expectations

Lieutenant Colonel Okou, who is a member of the World Military Sports Science Commission, maintained that the impeccable contribution of CG Adeniyi to the development of wrestling is unmatched

Pleading on behalf of the Armed Forces, Police and Paramilitary constituency for the candidature of CG Adeniyi as President of Nigeria Wrestling Federation

Equally, Dr. Okou urged President Daniel Igali, Board Members, and the Nigeria Wrestling Stakeholders to accept Adeniyi’s candidature from his constituency, who has contributed immensely to the growth of the sport

Okou acknowledged that the Wrestling Federation needs a successor who has the capacity to continue the developmental policies under the leadership of honourable Daniel Igali while maintaining the standards the Wrestling Federation has attained globally.

Lieutenant Colonel Okou Femedein Timipre stressed that with the collaborative support of every stakeholder, the Nigeria Wrestling Federation has the potential to win world and Olympic gold under CG Adeniyi, adding that the current NWF Board led by Daniel Igali has laid salient foundation to consolidate upon.

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