In the unpredictable world of professional tennis, injuries, pregnancy, and family planning can sideline even the most talented players. To ensure that careers are not derailed by circumstances beyond an athlete’s control, the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) has long maintained a Protected Ranking (PR) system—also known as a Special Ranking (SR). This rule allows returning players to enter tournaments as though they never left, preserving opportunities to compete at the highest level.
Far from being a bureaucratic technicality, PR has a tangible impact on tournament draws, seedings, and wildcard allocations. It also plays a key role in balancing fairness with competition in a sport where ranking determines virtually everything—entry, placement, and even sponsorship.
1. What Is a Protected Ranking?
The WTA’s Protected Ranking policy exists to safeguard players who miss significant time due to injury, pregnancy, or approved fertility-related procedures. To qualify, a player must be inactive for at least six months but no more than two years. Their protected ranking is calculated based on their standing at the time they stopped competing.
Recent reforms have expanded eligibility: players ranked within the top 750 may now apply for PR if they take time off for procedures like egg or embryo freezing. They can use this ranking to enter up to three tournaments—up to WTA 500 level—using their pre-absence ranking as the entry metric.
Authoritative other sources on female athlete welfare: Law In Sport
Also: WTA on entry rule in case of fertility protection
2. How PR Affects Tournament Entries
The most immediate effect of PR is direct access to main draws. A player who has fallen outside the ranking cutoff can still enter events as if they were ranked at their pre-absence position.
- For WTA 1000 or 500 tournaments, a protected ranking up to the top 500 allows direct entry.
- For WTA 250 events, the threshold is expanded to the top 750.
This rule helps athletes bypass qualifying rounds or the uncertainty of depending on a wildcard.
3. Seedings: The “Additional Seeds”
Uniquely, the WTA allows players using PR to be seeded in their first eight tournaments after returning—provided their protected ranking places them in the top 100. These players are drawn as Additional Seeds, ensuring they face unseeded opponents in the early rounds.
4. Wildcards and the Competitive Landscape
Protected Ranking access also influences wildcard allocation. Since a returning player can enter via PR, tournament directors can use discretionary wildcards on emerging talents, local favorites, or established stars seeking extra opportunities.
Importantly, a player cannot combine a PR entry with a wildcard for the same event—forcing them to choose one route.
Read more about current WTA rankings here
5. Why Protected Rankings Matter
The policy reflects the WTA’s commitment to fairness and player welfare. Careers should not be derailed because of injuries or personal choices around family planning. The rule has become even more significant with the WTA’s Family Focus Program, which now includes expanded maternity benefits and ranking protection for fertility treatments.
6. Comebacks That Shape the Tour
The PR rule has created compelling storylines. Players like Naomi Osaka and Angelique Kerber have used it to stage comebacks, ensuring that returning stars can once again challenge for major titles without starting from scratch.
For more on comebacks thanks to protected ranking: tennisuptodate.com
7. Sevastova and Wozniacki Show Its Impact
Anastasija Sevastova, once sidelined by injuries, used PR to re-enter tournaments, rebuilding her ranking and eventually making deep runs at major events. Similarly, Caroline Wozniacki’s comeback after maternity leave in 2023 highlighted how PR gives champions a fair chance to return without facing qualifying rounds or immediate first-round clashes against top seeds.
These examples illustrate why PR is more than just a technical rule—it keeps stars in the game and ensures that tennis fans continue to witness inspiring comebacks.