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SPORTS Tuesday 22 May 2018

French Open organizers won't give Serena Williams a seeding

By ANDREW DAMPF date of return to utilize the
SAMUEL PETREQUIN special ranking.
Associated Press "Historically, WTA players
PARIS (AP) — Serena Wil- have not been supportive
liams' return to Grand Slam of the use of special rank-
tennis from maternity leave ings for seeding purposes,"
just got even tougher. the WTA said in a statement
French Open organizers to The AP. "The rule is cur-
announced on Monday rently under further review
they will not give Williams a as part of our 2019 rules
seeding. process. We remain com-
"This year again, tourna- mitted to evolving with the
ment officials will estab- needs of our players and
lish the list and ranking of are very supportive of those
the women's seeds based players returning from ma-
on the WTA ranking," the ternity leave to the tour."
French Tennis Federation Fourth-ranked Elina Svitoli-
said in a statement to The na, who retained her Italian
Associated Press. "Conse- Open title on Sunday, was
quently, (the seeds) will re- also supportive of seeding
flect this week's world rank- Williams.
ing." "If you're like finished or you
Williams, a three-time stopped because you're
French Open champion, is going to have a child and
expected to play in her first you will be in top eight, I
major since giving birth to think you should have this
her daughter in September. kind of thing, to have pro-
While Williams can enter tected seeding," Svitolina
Roland Garros under the said. "She was No. 1 so she
WTA's protected or "spe- deserves seeding."
cial" ranking rule, it's up to William has won the French
Grand Slam organizers to Open more than any cur-
give her a seed. rent player, and last year's
While she was No. 1 when champion, Jelena Ostap-
she left the tour to give enko, is looking forward to
birth, Williams is currently her return.
ranked No. 453. In this Wednesday, March 21, 2018 file photo, Serena Williams returns to Naomi Osaka, of Japan, "She's someone who the
Without a seeding, the 23- during the Miami Open tennis tournament, in Key Biscayne, Fla. tour was missing, because
time Grand Slam champion Associated Press she's a great champion,"
risks facing highly ranked Ostapenko said. "She was
players in the early rounds. ences, to the emotions to tennis," top-ranked Simona coach Patrick Mouratoglou my idol since I was growing
The WTA is considering a the physicality of every sin- Halep said. "So the people last week told the WTA tour up."q
rule change to add pro- gle day. will decide what seed she website, "Serena will play
tected seeding for highly "Tennis is such a selfish sport will get. But in my opinion the French Open to win it."
ranked players returning but I think when there's a it's good to protect the Current rules covering ma-
from maternity leave but child in your life you lose a ranking when someone is ternity leave and injuries
the earliest that could take little bit of that, because giving birth." allow a protected or "spe-
effect is next year. there's something that's Williams returned to the cial" ranking to be utilized
Several of Williams' biggest so much more important," tour briefly in March after for entry into tournaments
rivals believe she deserves added Sharapova, who a 14-month absence. She but not for seeding purpos-
a seeding. has lost three Grand Slam was not seeded at tourna- es regardless of the reason
"I would like to see that (rule) finals to Williams. "So, yeah, ments in Indian Wells and for a player's absence.
change," Maria Sharapova I definitely think that would Miami, and compiled two However, this past year the
said at the Italian Open last be a nice change." wins and two losses. WTA adjusted the rule so
week. The French Open draw will Williams has recounted that absences for maternity
"It's such an incredible ef- be made on Thursday, with the difficulties she faced in leave are treated the same
fort for a woman to come the tournament starting on childbirth, and a pulmonary as those for injury and illness
back from physically, emo- Sunday. embolism made it hard for by providing all players a
tionally. ... There's just an- "It's normal to give birth. It's her to breathe shortly after two-year window to begin
other whole dimension to normal to have protected her daughter was born. But using a special ranking, plus
the travel, to the experi- ranking. ... It's more than after a period of training, an additional year from the