Proud tennis mothers who played at Wimbledon this year

Belinda Bencic is the only mother still competing for the prestigious title

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Jai Rai, Assistant Editor
4 MIN READ
Switzerland's Belinda Bencic celebrates after victory over Russia's Mirra Andreeva during their women's singles quarter-final tennis match on the tenth day of the 2025 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 9, 2025.
Switzerland's Belinda Bencic celebrates after victory over Russia's Mirra Andreeva during their women's singles quarter-final tennis match on the tenth day of the 2025 Wimbledon Championships at The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 9, 2025.
AFP

Dubai: Belinda Bencic has secured her place in the Wimbledon semi-finals after defeating Mirra Andreeva, making her the only mother still competing for the prestigious title. Just 15 months after giving birth to her daughter Bella, Bencic is now just two wins away from joining an elite group of mothers who have won Grand Slam tournaments after returning to professional tennis.

Historically, only a few mothers have triumphed at Grand Slams: Evonne Goolagong Cawley won Wimbledon in 1980 post-motherhood; Kim Clijsters claimed the US Open titles in 2009 and 2010 and the Australian Open in 2011 following the birth of her daughter; and Margaret Court became the first mother to win Grand Slam titles in the Open Era.

Reflecting on her quarter-final victory, Bencic said, “I’m proud of myself. Before Bella, I never spoke to myself this way, but now I do every day. It’s not just me — I couldn’t have done this without my amazing family and team. We worked incredibly hard on my comeback. We’re enjoying life on tour, and playing well is a bonus. Most importantly, I’m just so happy to be able to play again because my body allows it.” After a 13-month hiatus, Bencic returned to the tour in October last year and has gradually rebuilt her form to compete at the highest level.

A look at other mothers at this year’s Wimbledon

Elina Svitolina

The Ukrainian player exited Wimbledon in the third round, falling to Belgian Elise Mertens. This was her worst Wimbledon showing since 2021, when she also bowed out early. She missed the 2022 tournament due to pregnancy. In 2023, she reached the semi-finals before losing to eventual champion Marketa Vondrousova. Married to French tennis star Gael Monfils, Svitolina welcomed their daughter Skai earlier this year.

Victoria Azarenka

The Belarusian star had a tough Wimbledon, leaving in the first round after a three-set loss to Anastasia Zakharova. Azarenka, who debuted at Wimbledon in 2006 and boasts two Grand Slam titles, came close to adding another after motherhood but lost to Naomi Osaka in the 2020 US Open final. Her son Leo often travels with her to tournaments.

Petra Kvitova

Two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova, who became a mother last year, exited early in the first round after losing to Emma Navarro. The 25-year-old, married to her coach Jiri Vanek, was playing on a wildcard but couldn’t advance past SW19.

Naomi Osaka

Osaka showed promise but ultimately fell in the third round to Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in a three-set match. The 27-year-old, a four-time Grand Slam winner, has yet to capture a Wimbledon title. She gave birth to her daughter Shai in July 2023 and began her comeback at this year’s Australian Open.

Tatjana Maria

At 37, Tatjana Maria was the oldest mother competing at Wimbledon this year. Fresh off her first WTA 500 title at Queen’s, where she defeated four Top 20 players, her run ended in the first round against Katie Volynets. Maria, married to her coach Charles-Edouard Maria, is mother to two daughters, Charlotte and Cecilia.

Anastasija Sevastova

One of Latvia’s best-ever players, Sevastova entered Wimbledon using a special ranking but lost in the first round to last year’s runner-up Jasmine Paolini. The 35-year-old former World No. 11 and US Open semi-finalist has a daughter, Alexandra, born in 2022, and is in a long-term relationship with her coach Ronald Schmidt.

Yanina Wickmayer

Wickmayer’s final Wimbledon appearance ended early with a straight-sets loss to Renata Zarazua. Before the tournament, she shared on Instagram that she is “surrounded by loved ones,” including her four-year-old daughter Luana. Wickmayer and her husband Jerome van der Zijl welcomed their daughter in 2021.

Taylor Townsend

Townsend was the only mother to fight through three qualifying rounds to make the Wimbledon main draw but was defeated by Sofia Kenin in straight sets. Alongside Katerina Siniakova, Townsend forms one of women’s tennis’ most successful doubles teams. She has spoken openly about the sacrifices motherhood demands, including leaving her four-year-old son Adyn Aubrey at home while competing.

Jai Rai
Jai RaiAssistant Editor
Jai is a seasoned journalist with more than two decades of experience across India and the UAE, specialising in sports reporting. Throughout his distinguished career, he has had the privilege of covering some of the biggest names and events in sports, including cricket, tennis, Formula 1 and golf. A former first-division cricket league captain himself, he brings not only a deep understanding of the game but also a cricketer's discipline to his work. His unique blend of athletic insight and journalistic expertise gives him a wide-ranging perspective that enriches his storytelling, making his coverage both detailed and engaging. Driven by an unrelenting passion for sports, he continues to craft compelling narratives that resonate with readers. As the day winds down for most, he begins his work, ensuring that the most captivating stories make it to the print edition in time for readers to receive them bright and early the next morning.
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