A trio of mothers hope to make the ultimate tennis comeback at this year's Australian Open: becoming the first mother to win a major title in almost fifteen years.
Angelique Kerber, Naomi Osaka and Caroline Wozniacki - all former champions - return to Melbourne for the first time since the birth of their children. There they will try to lift the trophy, achieving what only one woman, Kim Clijsters, has done since 1980.
No one is more willing than Clijsters to put someone on this exclusive list, but she is especially happy that so many mothers are returning together.
When she returned to the tour in 2009, two years after the birth of her first daughter, Clijsters was full of questions. Why don't my tennis shoes fit anymore? What should I do if my baby has jet lag? How do I recover in time for my competition with a screaming toddler? Can I potty train my daughter on site in Flushing Meadows?
At the time, she can only remember one other mom on tour: Lindsay Davenport. "I spoke to Lindsay before I left for the trip. You know, when I was just booking hotel rooms, I suddenly thought: what would I need? How she handled it, traveling with a babysitter or not. Woman to woman, I would ask Lindsay questions like that. With trial and error, and not getting too angry when something goes wrong."
While many mothers will understand the feeling of returning to work after maternity leave, few mothers will be able to identify with Kerber, Osaka and Wozniacki as much as Clijsters.
It took Clijsters more than a year to pick up a racket after the birth of her daughter Jada in 2007, as she considered herself fully retired at the age of 23 with one major title to her name.
In 2009, she changed her mind, and later that year scored her most famous victory at the US Open - ironically against new mother Wozniacki. Under a sky of confetti at Arthur Ashe Stadium, Clijsters lifted the trophy in one arm and cradled her toddler in the other. She went on to win two more majors, at the US Open the following season and the 2011 Australian Open, taking her total to four.
The story continues
In recent years, many have almost started to follow her example. In 2020, three mothers reached the quarterfinals of the US Open; Elina Svitolina also reached the semi-finals of Wimbledon last year; and Serena Williams - who won the 2017 Australian Open while pregnant - played four major finals after giving birth. Clijsters says that Williams' performance is too often underestimated.
"I don't think there is a clear answer as to why no one has done it since," says Clijsters. "Serena was very, very close. I feel like she often didn't get enough credit for competing in all those grand slam finals after she had her daughter. The story is: 'She didn't make it' and detracts from the level she played. I think it will happen. I think it is the competitive nature and depth of our sport that has increased since my youth."
The increased number of players who view pregnancy as a career break rather than a career-ending experience suggests that Clijsters' prediction will come true. In the past two years, 28 WTA players have registered for a special ranking during pregnancy. Reigning Olympic champion Belinda Bencic announced in the fall that she was taking time off due to pregnancy, and two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova withdrew from the Australian Open earlier this month after announcing that she, too, is expecting her first child.
Clijsters, 40, made a short-lived comeback in 2020 and remains a prominent presence at science tournaments. She says players often approach her for advice on starting a family.
'If you have the dream of becoming a young mother, then it is possible'
"I am proud when I see Vika [Azarenka] compete - Vika, myself, Serena, we all managed to inspire a generation right behind us," says Clijsters. "I've had a lot of conversations with players, even players who don't have children. Just to pick my brain a bit. Players asking me when did you know you were ready? Those types of questions are common. I say: listen, if you have the dream of becoming a young mother, it is possible and it is nothing to be afraid of."
This is not least due to better conditions for mothers on tour. Two-time Melbourne champion and mother Azarenka has brought change to the WTA player council in recent years, and players now have a special protected ranking for pregnancies, meaning they don't have to start all over when they return to the tour. There are also nurseries at some of the top tournaments to help parents with childcare.
In addition to on-site health facilities and mental health providers for players, the WTA also established their Hologic Women's Health Taskforce in 2023 and is working to develop standardized international protocols for female athletes returning to play after childbirth.
"In a way, tennis is such a trendsetter and an example for so many other sports," says Clijsters. "I'm proud to see that. When I go to the tournaments now, I'm amazed at all the improvements that have been made, the extra benefits there for the players."
Of the current generation, Osaka is in the best position to follow in Clijsters' footsteps. The 26-year-old played for the first time in 15 months last week and said having her daughter in June helped her rediscover her appreciation for competing. Her famous groundstrokes were in full force in Brisbane, and no one will want to face her in the draw in Melbourne.
Like Williams, Osaka's huge global profile could prove to be a game changer for how parent athletes are seen and valued. Clijsters says her authenticity and candor can also help paint a real picture of what it's like to be a top tennis player juggling motherhood.
"Naomi, what she has done for mental health, awareness of it, now as a mother I hope she will open up too. Be open to sharing some of the mental situations you are dealing with. There is so much guilt - at least I have experienced it - because you have to leave your daughter or son to go practice.
"I'm really excited to see them all competing again and enjoying the touring lifestyle. That is priority number 1."
