A tennis player’s ranking after maternity leave can look far worse than her level on court. Tournament points usually keep expiring while she is away, but the WTA’s special-ranking rules can help her enter events when she returns. That special ranking is an entry tool—not a replacement for the ranking shown on the live standings list.
That difference matters. A returning player may use a protected position to get into a tournament, yet still be unseeded and need strong results to rebuild her actual ranking. Here’s how the system works, what it can and cannot do, and what players such as Serena Williams and Belinda Bencic show about a comeback.
What happens to a tennis ranking during maternity leave?
WTA rankings are based on results over a rolling period of roughly 52 weeks. As weeks pass, points earned at earlier tournaments eventually drop off. If a player is not competing, she usually cannot replace those points with new results, so her official ranking can fall sharply—even if she has not lost form on court.
The WTA’s special ranking, often called a protected ranking, is designed to help with tournament entry after a player has been away because of pregnancy. Under the maternity provisions, a player can generally use the special ranking to enter a limited number of tournaments during a set return period. The commonly cited allowance is up to 12 tournaments within three years of the child’s birth; players should check the current WTA rulebook for eligibility and details.
Crucially, a special ranking does not restore the player’s old position in the live rankings. It does not give her ranking points, guarantee a place in the main draw at every event, or stop old points from expiring. Points must be earned again through match wins.
Special ranking vs. actual ranking
| What it affects | Actual WTA ranking | Special ranking |
|---|---|---|
| What it represents | Points earned from tournament results | A protected position used under special entry rules |
| Can it earn ranking points? | No; match results earn the points | No |
| Can it help with tournament entry? | Yes | Yes, within the rules and allowed uses |
| Does it automatically guarantee a seed? | Seeding depends on the event’s rules and cutoff | Not automatically; special seeding provisions may apply |
For example, a player might return with a live ranking outside the main-draw cutoff but have a special ranking high enough to enter an event. She still has to play and win to improve her real ranking. The protected position can open the door; it cannot win the matches for her.
Can a player be seeded with a protected ranking?
In the past, returning mothers faced a clear disadvantage: a special ranking could help them enter tournaments but not necessarily protect them from a difficult draw as an unseeded player. The WTA later introduced changes allowing eligible players to use special rankings for seeding in certain circumstances, including at major events on the tour. The exact application depends on the current rules and the tournament.
Grand Slam tournaments have their own event regulations, so a player should not assume that every tournament will treat a special ranking in exactly the same way. Entry and seeding are separate questions. A player might qualify for the main draw through her special ranking but still be seeded according to a different policy—or not be seeded at all.
What Serena Williams’ return showed
Serena Williams returned to tennis in 2018 after giving birth to her daughter. Her actual ranking had fallen while she was away, and she was unseeded at Wimbledon that year. She reached the final, but her run also showed why entry protection and seeding protection are not the same thing: a player can be strong enough to contend for the title while still facing the draw as an unseeded competitor.
Her experience helped bring wider attention to the rules for returning mothers. It also underlined a practical point: a ranking number cannot fully describe a player’s ability after time away. Fitness, match practice, recovery and the number of tournaments played all affect how quickly results return.
How players rebuild after maternity leave
There is no single comeback path. Some players return with a schedule built around recovery and family life; others compete more often to gain match sharpness and replace expiring points. A special ranking can make it easier to choose suitable events rather than starting every week in qualifying, but the player still needs a run of results to climb the standings.
Belinda Bencic’s return is a recent example of how quickly the picture can change. After having her daughter in 2024, she returned to competition and went on to win the Abu Dhabi title in 2025. Her comeback showed both sides of the process: protected entry can help a player get back into tournaments, while wins are what rebuild the ranking and prove her level.
For fans tracking a returning player, it helps to look beyond the ranking number. Check whether she entered through a special ranking, how many matches she has played since returning, and whether she is getting direct entry or using wild cards. A low live ranking early in a comeback is not, by itself, evidence that the player has lost her ability.
What the rules do not guarantee
- No automatic ranking restoration: The player’s live ranking still reflects points earned and points that have expired.
- No guaranteed title or main-draw spot at every event: Special-ranking use is limited and governed by tournament rules.
- No instant return to top form: Match rhythm, fitness and recovery take time to rebuild.
- No identical policy across every tour: The WTA has specific maternity provisions; the ATP does not have an equivalent maternity-leave situation for male players. Event entry and seeding rules should be checked individually.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a tennis player keep her ranking while pregnant?
Not necessarily. The live ranking is based on results, and points can expire while a player is away. A WTA special ranking may help with tournament entry after maternity leave, but it does not freeze or restore the live ranking.
How long can a WTA player use a special ranking after giving birth?
The maternity provision is commonly described as allowing use for up to 12 tournaments within three years of the child’s birth. Eligibility and the way the allowance applies can depend on the current WTA rules, so players should confirm the details with the tour.
Does a protected ranking count for points?
No. It can help a player enter events, but only her results earn ranking points. Wins and tournament runs are what move her actual ranking back up.
Can a returning mother be seeded at a Grand Slam?
Possibly, under applicable special-ranking and seeding rules, but it is not automatic. Grand Slams may apply their own regulations, so entry status and seeding should be checked separately for each event.
Final Thoughts
A tennis ranking after maternity leave can be misleading unless you know which number you are looking at. The live ranking shows points earned from recent results; a special ranking can help an eligible player gain entry during her comeback. It is a practical bridge back to the tour, not a shortcut up the standings. Ultimately, match wins—and the time needed to regain form—determine where a player ranks again.
