By Pearl Josephine Nazare (Reuters) -Female players who choose to undergo a fertility protection procedure will be allowed to take time away from the sport and return to competitive action with a protected ranking,

This follows the introduction in March of paid maternity leave and grants for fertility protection measures in women’s tennis.

Women tennis players who take time out of the game to freeze eggs or embryos will have their ranking protected, the WTA Tour announced on Wednesday.Stephens said she had twice previously used the off-season to freeze her eggs.