Mother’s Day is a time to honor mothers everywhere, and in the world of tennis, the journey of becoming a mother while maintaining elite athletic performance is nothing short of remarkable. For professional athletes, pregnancy and childbirth bring profound physical and psychological changes, making the achievements of “tennis moms” even more inspiring. This Mother’s Day, we take a closer look at some of the most memorable mother players in tennis history.
# Kim Clijsters: Winning a Grand Slam as a Wild Card Mother
Kim Clijsters is perhaps the most famous example of a mother returning to dominate. After winning the US Open in 2005 and reaching world No. 1, she retired in 2007. She made a stunning comeback in 2009 as an unranked wild card and went on to win the US Open, becoming the first mother to claim a Grand Slam singles title since Evonne Goolagong in 1980. Clijsters later retired again, only to return and win another US Open in 2010, cementing her legacy as a tennis mom legend.
# Serena Williams: Chasing History After Motherhood
Serena Williams, one of the greatest players of all time, won the 2017 Australian Open while pregnant with her daughter Olympia. She returned to the tour in early 2018 and reached four Grand Slam finals (2018 Wimbledon and US Open, 2019 Wimbledon and US Open) but fell short of tying Margaret Court’s record of 24 major titles. Despite the losses, her determination and dominance as a mother remain an inspiration.
# Naomi Osaka: A Young Mother Making a Comeback
Born in 1997, Naomi Osaka burst onto the scene by winning the 2018 US Open and went on to collect four major titles (2019 Australian Open, 2020 US Open, 2021 Australian Open). In early 2023, she announced her pregnancy and welcomed a daughter in July. She returned to competitive tennis at the 2024 Brisbane International, with her best Grand Slam result being a semifinal appearance at the 2024 US Open. She also reached finals in Auckland and the Rogers Cup last season, showing she’s finding her rhythm again.
# Belinda Bencic: Comeback Player of the Year
Like Osaka, Belinda Bencic was born in 1997 and achieved early success, making the US Open quarterfinals at age 17. After announcing her pregnancy in 2023, she gave birth to a daughter in April 2024. She returned to the tour in early 2024 and immediately made an impact, reaching the second week of the Australian Open in her first major back. In the 2025 season, she won WTA 500 titles in Abu Dhabi and Tokyo, earning the WTA Comeback Player of the Year award. She also helped Switzerland reach the final of the United Cup earlier this year.
Beyond these incredible athletes, many other tennis mothers have left their mark on the sport. Who are some of your favorite tennis moms? Share your thoughts this Mother’s Day.