Professional athletes are defined by their relentless work ethic, physical prowess, and, often, the sacrifices they make in pursuit of excellence. For female athletes, these sacrifices extend beyond the physical realm and can intersect with personal choices related to family and health. Sloane Stephens, a celebrated American tennis player, embodies this struggle, having achieved remarkable success in her career while navigating the complex terrain of fertility and professional sports. Ranked as high as No. 3 in the world in 2018 and with a US Open title under her belt, Stephens has proven to be a formidable force on the court. However, as she contemplates her future, she faces a dilemma that many professionals in her position encounter: balancing career aspirations with the desire to start a family.
The demanding nature of professional sports leaves little room for personal time. Athletes often have to prioritize their sport above all else; for women, this can mean putting off family planning or reproductive health concerns. The fear of losing their hard-earned rankings can deter them from engaging in activities such as egg freezing, an option that offers some assurance for future family planning. For Stephens, her status as the only professional tennis player openly discussing this journey is both a personal decision and a public advocacy project.
Recognizing the challenges her peers face, Stephens is advocating for significant change within the sports community, particularly within the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA). Her proposal aims to make egg freezing a protected activity, allowing players to maintain their rankings while taking necessary time off. This initiative could revolutionize the landscape of women’s professional sports, enabling athletes to make informed choices about their reproductive health without jeopardizing their careers.
Stephens points out that, unlike their male counterparts, female athletes are often caught in a unique conundrum. “You can have it all, but not all at once,” she asserts, a reminder that women in sports continue to grapple with realities that place them at a distinct disadvantage compared to men. These societal pressures compel many to choose between career and family, an option that may not be as readily available to their male colleagues, who often face fewer societal expectations in regard to parenthood.
The journey of egg freezing is intricate, consisting of multiple medical appointments, hormonal treatments, and, often, emotional upheaval. For Stephens, taking the plunge into this uncertain journey began with her desire to assert control over her reproductive future. Partnering with the organization Kindbody, she took steps toward freezing her eggs while navigating the demanding schedule of a professional athlete.
“It was a supportive experience from beginning to end. Their approach made me feel comfortable, which is crucial during a sensitive process like this,” she remarks. Although the hurdles of medical appointments and hormone injections may seem overwhelming for anyone, the complexity is magnified for someone like Stephens who must also comply with rigorous drug testing and regulations. From providing daily whereabouts for anti-doping purposes to managing the logistics surrounding medical treatments, her commitment to maintaining compliance reflects the larger pressures faced by female athletes in managing career and personal life.
With her growing public advocacy, Stephens aspires to inspire change not just within tennis, but across all sports disciplines. She challenges the status quo by emphasizing that advancements in technology and increased accessibility should empower women to make informed choices about their reproductive health. “Fertility is the next frontier,” she notes, posing a compelling argument for leagues and organizations to step up for their female athletes, similar to how corporate workplaces have shifted to provide better support for working women.
Through her role on the WTA Council, she aims to leverage her unique position to facilitate discussions and initiate policies that could redefine the landscape for female athletes. It’s a reconciliatory vision, one where women are valued not just for their athletic prowess but also recognized as whole individuals with hopes, dreams, and life aspirations that extend beyond the court.
As Stephens prepares for another retrieval cycle in her off-season, she remains hopeful about paving the way for female athletes in sports to have options and support for their personal lives. Her aspiration resonates deeply, as it contemplates a future where women in professional sports can exist harmoniously as athletes as well as individuals with the potential to create families. “I want the women on tour to feel supported and empowered, not just to be athletes but to live full lives,” she conveys passionately.
In a world that often compartmentalizes identities, Sloane Stephens stands at the forefront of a transformative movement within women’s professional sports. Through her own journey, she highlights not only the personal aspects of family planning but also calls for systemic changes that recognize, value, and support women’s choices in balancing their athletic and personal lives.