"Would definitely be life changing": Victoria Azarenka and Naomi Osaka lead charge for WTA maternity pay

Naomi Osaka and Victoria Azarenka lead the initiative for WTA maternity pay. Since the 2019 season, the rules were changed to allow new mothers returning to the Tour to participate in 12 tournaments over a period of three years from the birth of their child.

However, some players believe that maternity pay should be introduced. For instance, former world No. 1 Azarenka, who gave birth to her son Leo in 2016, commented earlier this year that she hopes there will be further progress in implementing maternity pay: "There's a lot more that has to change and I hope that we are on the right track to do it," Azarenka told BBC Sport in Brisbane earlier this year.

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"I think the important part is to change the financial part of maternity leave. I think that would be a huge win for women in general, so I hope we find the resources to be able to do that. I think that would be incredible.

"I have, I'm guessing, more financial security than some players who may be outside the top 100, and maybe have the same desires and ambitions to have a child and continue to do their job."

On the other hand, the 4-times Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka, who returned to the tour just six months after giving birth to her daughter Shai this year, supported Azarenka's idea: "I think it would definitely be life-changing, and I feel like having a kid shouldn't feel like a punishment," she said.

"For most female athletes, I think there's a discussion that your career's going to change dramatically or going to finish because you have a kid, so just appreciating them more and giving more options is something that is very necessary."

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Also, the 2022 Wimbledon semifinalist Tatjana Maria has balanced her career with the motherhood of her 10 and three-year-old daughters. The German mentioned that she had no income when she took her first break at the age of 25: "I think it's completely correct to do this, because other jobs you have worldwide it's the same rule - when you get pregnant, you get paid - and I think why not in tennis?" Maria said.

"There are more mums on tour and we are coming into a generation where you can play much longer than before, and it will be more in the future. It's something the WTA has to see, that we are more mums on tour, and change it."

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The WTA issued a statement declaring that a universal childcare policy cannot be implemented due to the varying regulations in each country: "Due to varying regulations governing childcare across our tournament host countries, we are unable to institute a universal childcare policy, though the WTA encourages tournaments to offer these services on an individual basis, and several of them do," the WTA said in a statement.

"The WTA is proud to support the mothers on our Tour and we remain committed to providing them with resources to help balance parenthood and the demands of competing at the highest level.

"We are focused on both the health and performance of players while also empowering players. As a result, the WTA provides each player with an athletic care manager to oversee their safety, health, and performance during pregnancy and postpartum care."

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