Ivanka Trump is defending tennis great Serena Williams and slamming Williams' lack of seeding at the French Open, calling it a penalty for being pregnant.
"This is ridiculous," Trump said on Twitter. "Serena Williams is a formidable athlete (best ever) and loving new mother. No person should ever be penalized professionally for having a child."
"This year again, tournament officials will establish the list and ranking of the women's seeds based on the WTA ranking," French Tennis Federation officials aid in a statement to The Associated Press. "Consequently, (the seeds) will reflect this week's world ranking."
French Open officials announced this week they would not give Williams a seeding based on the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) rankings. The 23-time Grand Slam champion and three-time French Open winner is ranked No. 453 by the WTA.
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“The WTA should change this rule immediately,” Trump said.
Williams took 14 months off to have her first child and was No. 1 in the rankings at the last Grand Slam she played, the 2017 Australia Open, before taking time off to give birth in what turned out to be a difficult pregnancy, including six weeks of bed rest.
[ >> Related: Tennis champ Serena Williams reveals she ‘almost died’ after giving birth to first baby ]
Without seeding at the French Open, Williams could potentially have a tough time in the early rounds, having to face top-ranked players right off the bat, instead of in later rounds.
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