Serena Williams' return to Grand Slam tennis from maternity leave just got even tougher.
French Open organizers announced on Monday they will not give Williams a seeding.
"This year again, tournament officials will establish the list and ranking of the women's seeds based on the WTA ranking," the French Tennis Federation said. "Consequently, (the seeds) will reflect this week's world ranking."
Williams, a three-time French Open champion, is expected to play in her first major since giving birth to her daughter in September.
While Williams can enter Roland Garros under the WTA's protected or "special" ranking rule, it's up to Grand Slam organizers to give her a seed.
While she was No 1 when she left the tour to give birth, Williams is currently ranked No 453.
Without a seeding, the 23-time Grand Slam champion risks facing highly ranked players in the early rounds.
Several of Williams' biggest rivals believe she deserves a seeding.
"I would like to see that (rule) change," Maria Sharapova said at the Italian Open last week.
"It's such an incredible effort for a woman to come back from physically, emotionally. ... There's just another whole dimension to the travel, to the experiences, to the emotions to the physicality of every single day.
But after a period of training, coach Patrick Mouratoglou last week told the WTA tour website, "Serena will play the French Open to win it."
Current rules covering maternity leave and injuries allow a protected or "special" ranking to be utilized for entry into tournaments but not for seeding purposes regardless of the reason for a player's absence.
However, this past year the WTA adjusted the rule so that absences for maternity leave are treated the same as those for injury and illness by providing all players a two-year window to begin using a special ranking, plus an additional year from the date of return to utilize the special ranking.
"Historically, WTA players have not been supportive of the use of special rankings for seeding purposes," the WTA said. "The rule is currently under further review as part of our 2019 rules process. Fourth-ranked Elina Svitolina, was also supportive of seeding Williams.
"If you're like finished or you stopped because you're going to have a child and you will be in top eight, I think you should have this kind of thing, to have protected seeding," Svitolina said.
"She was No 1 so she deserves seeding."