Since Serena Williams won her last of 23 Grand Slams while pregnant with daughter Olympia, several tennis stars have shown it’s possible to manage a family life without sacrificing a successful career in the process.

This year’s Australian Open marked a return to elite competition for several Grand Slam champions who took time off the WTA Tour to have a baby, following in Williams’ footsteps.

Naomi Osaka has been a trailblazer in tennis, advocating for mental health and racial equality. Despite facing struggles, including depression, she returned to the tour in 2024 after becoming a mother, showing a new perspective and resilience. With four Grand Slam titles, Osaka remains motivated, balancing her career with motherhood.

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Elina Svitolina, known for her advocacy for Ukraine amid the ongoing conflict with Russia, has raised significant funds for her home country. Despite becoming a mother to daughter Skai in 2022, Svitolina’s career has flourished, winning the WTA Comeback Player of the Year award in 2023. Her strong performances, including reaching the Wimbledon semifinals, demonstrate her resilience. Svitolina has also highlighted the challenges of balancing motherhood with her tennis career, emphasizing the inspiring trend of mothers returning to the sport after childbirth.

Elina Svitolina's Inspiring Return to Tennis After Maternity Break

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Former Australian Open champion Angelique Kerber made a triumphant return to competitive tennis at this year’s tournament after taking 18 months off to welcome her daughter Liana. Despite facing tough competition, Kerber showed her champion’s mentality, putting up a strong fight in her matches. While her start to the year has been challenging, her resilience and determination suggest she’ll soon return to top form.

Victoria Azarenka, a double Australian Open champion and mother to son Leo, has blazed a trail for mothers returning to the tour. Overcoming a custody battle, she regained her form, reaching milestones like the US Open quarterfinals in 2020 and the Australian Open semifinals in 2023. Despite narrowly missing out on historic wins, Azarenka continues to inspire with her impressive performances on the court.

Caroline Wozniacki, 2018 Australian Open champion, made a remarkable comeback to tennis in 2023 after having two children. Despite an early exit at the Australian Open, she reached the US Open quarterfinals, inspired by Serena Williams. Wozniacki aims to prove that motherhood and a successful career are achievable, emphasizing the importance of support networks. Her comeback sparks conversations about balancing family and professional sports, highlighting possibilities for women in tennis.