By Trisha Ghosal
Being a mother is a full-time job. It involves early mornings, late nights, relentless responsibility and emotional labour. Now add to that the demands of a professional tennis career with global travel, physical conditioning and intense competition. It is a path few dare to take, but for the mothers on the WTA Tour, it is a life they have chosen with love and determination.
On this Mother’s Day, we honour the extraordinary women who have embraced motherhood without giving up on their dreams. Their stories are not just about comeback wins, but about redefining what it means to be a woman in sport.
Belinda Bencic: Grace in Every Step
Belinda Bencic returned to tennis less than a year after giving birth to her daughter Bella. She chose a gradual approach, testing her rhythm at smaller events late last season. But this year, her performance has taken off. She won the Abu Dhabi trophy in February and reached the quarterfinals of the BNP Paribas Open in March, where she defeated fellow mom Tatjana Maria. Ranked No. 39 now, Bencic is rebuilding her position in the sport. She is doing it with a quiet resilience that speaks volumes.
Naomi Osaka: Reclaiming Her Power
Naomi Osaka gave birth to her daughter Shai in July 2023. She returned to the tour in 2024. Her journey back has been steady and inspiring. After a final appearance in Auckland in January, Osaka finally got the result she was looking for in Saint-Malo, where she won her first career clay court title. The four-time Grand Slam champion is beginning to look like the player who once dominated the tour. Her comeback is a powerful reminder that motherhood can bring not an end, but a renewed strength and purpose.
Elina Svitolina: Silent Grit, Loud Victories
Elina Svitolina returned to the tour in 2023 after giving birth to her daughter Skai and has since shown exceptional form. She claimed her first title of the new season in Rouen, winning all five matches in straight sets. Her final against Olga Danilovic was an intense battle, with Svitolina having to save two set points in the second-set tie-break. With 18 titles from 22 career finals, Svitolina continues to thrive, especially on clay, and her post-motherhood comeback reflects her unshakable drive.
Taylor Townsend: Doubles Success and Determined Growth
Taylor Townsend’s return to tennis has been filled with success. She partnered with Katerina Siniakova to win the Australian Open and the Dubai WTA 1000 this season. Both times, they defeated the same team of Jelena Ostapenko and Hsieh Su-Wei. These victories have lifted Townsend to a career-best doubles ranking of World No. 2. Her achievements are the result of clear focus and consistent work, all while balancing the joys and challenges of raising her son.
Victoria Azarenka: The Pioneer of Possibility
Victoria Azarenka was one of the first to prove that motherhood and professional tennis could co-exist. Since returning to the tour in 2017 after the birth of her son Leo, she has reached a Grand Slam final and several second weeks at the majors. More importantly, she has become a leader off the court. As Chair of the WTA Players’ Council, Azarenka played a key role in establishing the PIF WTA Maternity Fund, a support system that is now changing lives. Her impact goes beyond matches and titles. She is helping build a new foundation for working mothers in sport.
Tatjana Maria: Wisdom in Every Step
Tatjana Maria has balanced her tennis career with motherhood for several years. In 2025, she managed a solid 13–13 win-loss record and reached the quarterfinals at the Copa Colsanitas in Bogota. While she may not grab headlines every week, her presence on tour remains strong. More than that, she is a mentor to other tennis moms, sharing practical advice and emotional support with those just starting the journey she knows so well.
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Petra Kvitova: A Comeback in Progress
Petra Kvitova gave birth to her son, Petr, in July 2024 and returned to competition at the ATX Open in Austin. It took her some time to find her rhythm, but she picked up her first win of the season in Rome just last week. Kvitova is not rushing her progress. She is adjusting to the demands of life on the road with a baby, focusing on small steps and sustainable progress. Her return may be gradual, but it is filled with quiet courage.
Anastasija Sevastova: Fighting Through Setbacks
Anastasija Sevastova welcomed her daughter Alexandra in December 2022. She was back to the circuit in 2024. Her comeback began with promise as she secured her first tour-level win in over two years at the Transylvania Open. But soon after, she suffered a serious knee injury in Austin that required her to spend six weeks on crutches, just as her daughter was learning to walk. Now 35, Sevastova has fought her way back and recently reached the third round in Madrid with victories over strong opponents like Pavlyuchenkova and Ostapenko.
These stories are not exceptions anymore. Backed by evolving policies, new support systems and sheer belief, more women are proving that becoming a mother does not mean giving up a career in sport. It can mean writing a new chapter filled with deeper purpose, fiercer determination, and even greater triumphs.
On this Mother’s Day, we celebrate the supermoms of tennis. Their courage lights the way for countless women who dream of chasing their passions without leaving their families behind.
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