Posted on 05/29/2018 7:15:36 AM PDT by EdnaMode
Serena Williams was the No. 1 tennis player in the world in January of last year. She had just beaten big sister Venus to win the Australian Open for a seventh time. Oh, and she did it while being 8 weeks pregnant.
It was an incredible feat. Yet, Serena's pregnancy, which obviously kept her off the professional tennis circuit for months, is now the reason she has fallen to No. 453 in the world. She is making her comeback grand slam debut at this month's French Open in Paris. But, because her maternity leave prevented her from competing for awhile, she failed to receive a seeded ranking at the tournament, meaning she'd have to play much more difficult opponents. The old rule allowed players on maternity leave to return to the tour with the same ranking, but grumblings led to a change in policy, Williams recently explained on "The View." She suggested the policy was penalizing mothers for wanting to start a family, but she accepted it, noting that it simply meant she would have to practice and train more.
"You have to be ready to play the best the first day," she said.
She added that "hopefully" the next time a player needs to take maternity leave they don't have to start so low in the rankings.
First daughter Ivanka Trump spoke up on the tennis star's behalf last week, calling the policy "ridiculous."
Ivanka Trump ✔ @IvankaTrump This is ridiculous. @SerenaWilliams is a formidable athlete (best ever!) and loving new mother. No person should ever be penalized professionally for having a child! The #WTA should change this rule immediately. #FrenchOpen.http://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/23563755/serena-williams-return-french-open-unseeded-player … 1:31 PM - May 24, 2018
To anyone who's been paying attention to Ivanka's schedule, it was no surprise she spoke up for the tennis star. Since her dad became president, she has pursued policies that protect the family structure, including paid family leave.
Ivanka Trump ✔ @IvankaTrump #PaidFamilyLeave is not a nationally mandated benefit in the US. 46 states leave the decision up to employers. However, only 15% of workers have access to #PaidFamilyLeave at their workplaces. We need a national #PaidLeave policy to ensure #FamilyBenefits for all in our country! 1:00 PM - May 25, 2018 · Washington, DC
” but grumblings led to a change in policy, “
Grumblings? By who? Would have to be other FEMALE players, right?
If she still has it, she will move back up after a few matches. I don’t see it as a big deal myself.
If she truly is #1 then she will win her matches.
The association has rules, for good or ill, they are the rules.
She is a beast, and will be back on top (if that is her goal) in the shortest time possible. She will show that talent, training, dedication, and drive will out. It will be inspiring, a great story to add to the memoir, and certainly entertaining to follow in the matches.
KYPD
Yea, but probably only "White" players.
First world problems.
If the 36 y/o man-woman is pumped back up on all the usual PEDs, s/he will climb the rankings.
Ivanka needs to learn the rules, and shut up
I can see you might lose your #1, but to go to 453 or whatever is absurd. It sure appears like Williams gets it....if you can’t win then you are not #1. Having a baby and the resulting impact on your body and your lifestyle may be a bridge too far, but the results will show, one way or another. If anyone can regain their form, it is Williams.
SW can’t be the first pro tennis player to come back from pregnancy.....what are the results for others?
Yes. That's how tennis tournaments are seeded: the opening rounds have the highest ranked players against the lowest ranked players.
Tiger dropped his rankings from top ten to the hundreds as well, the verdict is still out as to his comeback. He shows signs of brilliance, but so does John Daly, he needs four great days to win.
She tried to play in a previous tournament within the 52 weeks. She got bounced in the first round. Sorry, Serena, but not everyone can bounce back from a pregnancy like, say, Kim Clijsters.
Women want to raise families.
Women want careers.
Women want special rules for themselves.
Women want special rules waived for themselves.
Women see themselves as victims.
No, she's griping about the inherently unfair system where the top players (or teams in other sports) are seeded to play the worst teams in tournaments until finally all the lesser teams are crushed by the best early. This means that if you are really good you can mostly cruise through the early rounds and not be tested until later. Obviously this is good for TV because it gives the big names the best shot to advance, and I suppose if you are an up and coming hotshot you have to prove it by beating the best to rise. But in her case, people think she shouldn't have to play good opponents early because she's good too. Boo hoo.
The relevant quote from the article:
But, because her maternity leave prevented her from competing for awhile, she failed to receive a seeded ranking at the tournament, meaning she'd have to play much more difficult opponents.
EX-ACTLY!!
It would be front page news if she made it.
Shouldn’t the higher ranked players be complaining? They may get a draw with her earlier than they should have.
She had a child. Now she needs to raise it and have others. Far more important work than her former career.
(Retreating to fortified bunker...)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.