This disclosure provides methods, devices and systems for protecting latency-sensitive communications, during restricted target wake time (r-TWT) service periods (SPs), from non-legacy STAs that do not support r-TWT operation. Some implementations more specifically relate to preventing STAs that are not members of an r-TWT SP from acquiring transmit opportunities (TXOPs) that would otherwise overlap with the start of the r-TWT SP. In some implementations, the AP may require all non-legacy STAs associated with its basic service set (BSS) to support r-TWT operation. In some other implementations, the AP may attempt to capture a wireless channel associated with the r-TWT SP within a fixed period preceding the r-TWT SP. In some other implementations, the AP may require all associated STAs to transmit a request-to-send (RTS) frame when attempting to acquire a TXOP. Still further, in some implementations, the AP may limit the duration of TXOPs acquired by non-member STAs.