New WTA rules give ranking help to moms; allow Serena-style catsuits

Court Report: Serena Williams attempts to tie Margaret Court's Grand Slam record in Melbourne

The WTA tour is introducing new rules for next season, including those that address issues brought up by Serena Williams' comeback.

Williams returned to tour this season following the birth of her first child, and despite having a protected ranking of No. 1, was unseeded for her first few events because the WTA does not allow special rankings to be used for seedings.

But according to the BBC, a new WTA rule will now offer such players more protection in draws, with the guarantee that such players will at least not face a seed in the opening rounds. This applies to both players coming back from pregnancy and injury.

Players will also be able to use their special rankings for longer. They can enter up to eight tournaments across three years with their protected status. This type of change had been advocated by another tour mom, Victoria Azarenka, who is a member of the WTA Player Council.

WTA events must use WTA rankings for seedings. Grand Slams can apply their own seedings, not to mention their own dress codes. There was controversy when there were suggestions the French Open would not allow the kind of catsuit that had been worn by Williams during this year's tournament, which was also a compression garment worn to guard against further complications from childbirth.

But such attire will be officially allowed on the WTA tour next season.

''Leggings and mid-thigh length compression shorts may be won with or without a skirt, shorts, or dress," says the rule.

Williams is now back up to No. 16 in the rankings.

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