When Serena Williams confronted Simona Halep within the 2019 Wimbledon remaining, she was extensively anticipated to say a record-equalling twenty fourth main, an eighth Venus Rosewater Dish and with it will have joined one other unique band of gamers.
Victory would have seen her be a part of solely Margaret Court docket, Evonne Goolagong and Kim Clijsters in successful a Grand Slam singles title after changing into a mom.
However Williams didn’t. Her 6-2 6-2 drubbing in 56 minutes shocked Centre Court docket and the tennis world, who a lot fancied the then 37-year-old to win a primary main because the delivery of her daughter, Olympia, in September 2017.
A yr later, Victoria Azarenka defeated Williams en path to reaching the 2020 US Open remaining and her first main showpiece because the delivery of her son, Leo, in December 2016.
But she bumped into an impressed Naomi Osaka, who gained plaudits off the court docket in addition to on it for her activism within the combat towards racism and police brutality following the homicide of George Floyd.
Williams and Azarenka stay the closest a mum has come to claiming a singles main since Clijsters on the 2011 Australian Open.
Belinda Bencic, who had daughter, Bella, final April 2024, reached the semi-finals of this yr’s Wimbledon, whereas Elina Svitolina shocked Iga Swiatek to achieve the final 4 of Wimbledon in 2023, simply 9 months after having daughter Skai, and progressed to this yr’s quarters of the Australian and French Open.
There are extra high-profile moms competing on the tour now than ever earlier than as a result of Ladies’s Tennis Affiliation’s progressive guidelines round being pregnant, maternity and fertility.
Gamers are actually selecting to start out a household throughout their profession, fairly than ready till retirement. It leads us to at least one query. Will this yr’s US Open see the primary mum since Clijsters to win a Grand Slam?
“I’m so ready for a new mum to hold a Grand Slam trophy,” Clijsters – who won three Grand Slams after becoming a mother in 2008 – told tennis podcast The Sit-Down earlier this year.
“I am proud seeing so many ladies [with kids] within the draw and seeing the youngsters stroll round and their relations within the gamers’ restaurant. That is what it is all about.”
Sky Sports’ pundit and Great Britain Billie Jean King Cup team captain Anne Keothavong told Sky Sports News: “I think we can have mums who can really challenge the very best. Belinda Bencic showed it at Wimbledon, Elina Svitolina is still very competitive, we saw Tatjana Maria win Queen’s. I don’t see her as a US Open contender but generally we see more mothers on tour than 10 years ago, which is good.”
It’s a sentiment supported by Annabel Croft, who said the US Open could provide a first mum winner in 14 years.
“I all the time suppose in ladies’s tennis, you may by no means say by no means,” the Sky Sports Tennis pundit said.
Kim Clijsters gained three of her 4 Grand Slams after the delivery of her daughter, together with the 2009 US Open
“Look at what happened with Kim Clijsters. Who would ever believe that Kim Clijsters would come back and win slams the way she did? In women’s tennis, there’s no predicting anything anymore, so that’s not to say somebody couldn’t go out there and win a slam but they all believe they can do anything against anyone on any given day.”
Greater than something, each Keothavong and Croft say the dialog of motherhood {and professional} sport is a major dialog to have and spotlight.
“It’s important that we discuss this [mums on tour] to normalise it,” Keothavong stated. “For women to help other women and show other women. Not just athletes but whatever career you’re in or whatever work space you’re in, it is possible to have a career and do something for yourself after having a child.
“Having a child doesn’t mean that your career is done and dusted but again I go back to, it does require an unbelievable support system.”
Keothavong noticed first-hand the help system in place for Bencic whereas watching her third-round conflict towards Italy’s Elisabetta Cocciaretto on Court docket 18 at Wimbledon.
“I used to be up on the balcony watching Belinda’s match and her companion was pacing up and down with the buggy together with her daughter who I feel was quick asleep.
Belinda Bencic, seen right here together with her daughter throughout follow, reached the semi-finals of this yr’s Wimbledon
“She is in a position where she can still travel with a full-time coach, her dad was there, her husband is still her fitness trainer and able to be a hands on dad on the road which is an unbelievable position to be in and as inspiring as it is, it’s probably not the reality for most women.”
When Naomi Osaka returned to the tour in January last year after a 15-month absence following the birth of her daughter Shai, she spoke about how she was “completed” as an individual.
“To know there is a tiny human who loves me it doesn’t matter what, and my days simply mild up due to her, that type of completes me as an individual as nicely,” she stated earlier this yr.
Osaka is steadily beginning to discover kind within the run-up to the US Open, reaching her first WTA remaining since 2022 in Montreal, the place she misplaced to rising star, 18-year-old Victoria Mboko. Flushing Meadows is a slam Osaka all is aware of nicely, having gained it twice in 2018 and 2020.
“I’ve seen huge changes in her [since returning to the tour after the birth of her daughter in July 2023],” Croft stated.
Naomi Osaka reached her first WTA remaining since 2022 however misplaced in Montreal to Victoria Mboko
“I remember interviewing Naomi when she was so shy, she couldn’t lift her head up, couldn’t say more than two words, but now she’s kind of like a spokesperson, she has more strength and confidence. Being a mum has given her huge depth to her character and I’ve seen massive changes in her.”
That ‘bigger picture’ mentality for gamers returning after maternity can actually generally work in gamers’ favour by permitting them to remain grounded and disconnect from the sport when wanted, as proven by Bencic’s run at Wimbledon.
“It gives players perspective on life and what is actually really important,” Keothavong added.
“It doesn’t mean you’re any less ambitious than what you were before, you just have a different perspective on it, I think it’s different for different people.
“Belinda spoke about being in the same room as her daughter [during Wimbledon] and that when she woke up in the night, she was up and probably had some support as well. But she sounds like she was really hands-on, and has been a hands-on mother on the road.
“Elina Svitolina, certainly when she came back within six months of having her first child, she left her daughter with her parents, so she could focus on her tennis. It’s different and I don’t think what suits one person necessarily suits another.”
Croft added: “Elina Svitolina has been unbelievably consistent since she’s returned. I’ve seen huge changes in her and the way she is on the court. She was always a strong character and very gritty competitor but it seems even more so since having her baby. She seems so much happier in herself.”
Elina Svitolina has reached the quarter-finals of two Grand Slams this yr, the French and Australian Open
When Maria gained Queen’s Membership this summer time, watching each victory from her teaching nook was eldest daughter Charlotte, now 11, actively engaged in each shot, whereas youngest daughter, four-year-old Cecilia, sat contently at the back of a buggy amusing herself.
“Charlotte has basically grown up on the tennis tour,” Keothavong added. “She’s successfully being homeschooled on the highway which to some might sound actually dysfunctional and arduous to understand however for them, it’s simply the norm.
Tatjana Maria celebrates her Queen’s title this summer time together with her two daughters and her coach, who can also be her husband
“There’s no right or wrong, and Tatjana and her husband [who is also her coach Charles-Edouard Maria] don’t make any secret about the fact they want her to be a tennis player.
“Ultimately it’s brilliant that women have the choice and that’s the most important thing, you can decide what is right for you and your family and do it in the confidence that you’re going to be supported and go to tournaments now about having children around and facilitating everything to help you.”
The US Open may come too quickly for one of many mums on tour to make an historic breakthrough however they’re actually knocking on the door.
Watch the US Open reside on Sky Sports activities Tennis, streaming service NOW and the Sky Sports activities app from August 24
