Mother’s Day: Tennis moms open up about life beyond the court

Motherhood was once viewed as the end of a tennis career. Now, it’s become part of the journey for some of the sport’s biggest stars.

From Grand Slam champions returning to the Top 10 to players pushing for maternity protections across the tour, a growing group of tennis moms are redefining what longevity and success can look like in professional sport. This Mother’s Day, we celebrate seven players who have balanced elite competition with family life—and, in the process, helped reshape the future of women’s tennis.

Read More: Belinda Bencic says new WTA paid maternity leave program is 'absolutely amazing'

Naomi Osaka

• Four-time Grand Slam singles champion, former world No. 1

Naomi Osaka returned to the WTA Tour in 2024 after giving birth to her daughter, Shai, in July 2023. Her comeback has seen her post runner-up finishes in Auckland and Montreal last season.

💬 “She likes to watch my practices on FaceTime, which is new. She’ll call and we’ll put (the phone) on the chair. It’s so cute because I can hear her saying, ‘Go mommy, go!’ on the sidelines.

“Things like that make me realize how much older she’s getting and how she’s developing.”

Elina Svitolina

• Former world No. 3, 2020 Olympic Games bronze medalist

Elina Svitolina returned to the tour in April 2023 after giving birth to daughter Skai, whom she shares with fellow tennis player Gaël Monfils, in October 2022. Just months after her comeback, the Ukrainian lifted her first title as a mother in Strasbourg.

Svitolina has continued her strong form this year, winning the Auckland title one year after husband Monfils captured the ATP trophy at the same event.

💬 “Motherhood has given me a whole new level of motivation. Now, I’m not just playing for myself—I’m playing for my daughter, showing her that women can chase their dreams and succeed.

“It’s also helped me put things in perspective—when I step on the court, I give it my all, but at the end of the day my family is my greatest victory.”

Taylor Townsend

• Two-time Grand Slam doubles champion, doubles world No. 1

After welcoming her son, AJ, in 2021, Taylor Townsend became the first mother in women’s tennis history to reach world No. 1 in doubles.

Since becoming a mom, Townsend has won Wimbledon 2024 and the Australian Open 2025 alongside doubles partner Katerina Siniakova. Her standout 2026 season has already included titles at Indian Wells, Miami, and Madrid, while she also reached her first WTA singles final in Austin.

💬 “Being a working mom, it’s not easy. Coming back with trophies kind of just shows that it was worth it.”

Caroline Wozniacki

• Former world No. 1, Grand Slam champion

Caroline Wozniacki retired in 2020 to start a family with husband David Lee, welcoming Olivia and James, before returning to the tour in 2023. Wozniacki stepped away again after announcing the arrival of baby Max in 2025.

💬 “My family is the most important thing to me, but at the same time, I love winning… I think sometimes that mom guilt comes out, but I try and manage it as well as I can.”

Angelique Kerber

• Three-time Grand Slam champion, former world No. 1

Angelique Kerber stepped away from tennis after giving birth to daughter Liana in February 2023. She returned in 2024 for a farewell season that concluded with a quarterfinal run at the Paris Olympic Games.

In 2025, Kerber welcomed her second child, Ben, officially closing the chapter on her playing career.

💬 “I still love tennis but first and foremost, I’m a mother with my whole heart. There’s a little person in my life that is far more important than tennis.”

Victoria Azarenka

• Two-time Grand Slam champion, former world No. 1

Victoria Azarenka’s impact as a tennis mom extends far beyond her results on court. She gave birth to her son, Leo, in 2016 at a time when the WTA had no maternity leave protections in place for players.

After returning to competition, Azarenka became one of the leading voices advocating for stronger support for mothers on tour. Today, the WTA offers one of the most progressive maternity policies in women’s sports, including paid maternity leave, parental assistance, and fertility treatment support.

💬 “When I became pregnant, the immediate question was: Can I come back? I was in the Top 5, and I still had doubts. There were no rules to support players in my situation.

“Players now have the chance to extend their career and plan their futures differently. It’s no longer just ‘before family’: they can have a family and keep competing.”

Belinda Bencic

• Former world No. 4, 2020 Olympic Games gold medalist

Belinda Bencic returned to tennis in late 2024 after giving birth to her daughter, Bella, and quickly reestablished herself among the game’s elite players.

In 2026, Bencic climbed back into the WTA Top 10, making history alongside Elina Svitolina as the first two mothers ranked inside the Top 10 at the same time.

💬 “Coming back to the WTA Top 10 one year after returning to competition after maternity leave is something I am incredibly proud of. Very few people know or have experienced how difficult that journey is.”