An impressive number of nine mums (potentially a record) will be competing in the Wimbledon women’s singles tournament this year, and each will attempt to rewrite their name in the record books.
In the long history of the Championships, only four women have won the Wimbledon singles title after giving birth. Australia’s Evonne Goolagong Cawley was the last to do it–45 years ago–and the only one to achieve it in the Open Era. Could history repeat itself in 2025?
Here are the nine women who continue to prove that motherhood is no barrier to success and will compete in the 2025 Wimbledon main draw.
Nine Tennis Mothers Will Play At 2025 Wimbledon
1. Elina Svitolina
The first name is the highest-ranked mother in the draw. Elina Svitolina has reached the semifinals of Wimbledon twice in her career. The 30-year-old Ukrainian is married to ATP star Gael Monfils and gave birth to their first child, a baby girl named Skai, in 2023.
2. Belinda Bencic
Belinda Bencic will mark her first Wimbledon since giving birth to her baby daughter Bella in early 2024. Bencic missed the French Open because of a recurring arm injury. The Australian Open is the only Grand Slam tournament she has played in since her post-maternity comeback.
3. Victoria Azarenka
Victoria Azarenka is a veteran in the women’s game. Her Wimbledon debut was back in 2006. She has won two Grand Slams in her long and decorated career and came close to adding to that number as a mother at the 2020 US Open (lost to Naomi Osaka in the final). Azarenka has one son named Leo, who was born in 2016 and regularly travels with her to tournaments.
4. Petra Kvitova
Petra Kvitova is the newest mum on the WTA Tour. The Czech is the only woman in this list to win Wimbledon, doing so multiple times (2011 and 2014). Kvitova is married to her coach, Jiri Vanek, and they have one son, Petr, who was born in 2024. Kvitova, 35, will play her final Wimbledon. She will retire at the end of the season. Kvitova has been granted a main draw wild card.
5. Naomi Osaka
Naomi Osaka is a four-time Grand Slam champion, but none of her Majors have been won on the hallowed grass of Wimbledon. Osaka gave birth to a baby girl named Shai in July 2023 and is set for only her fifth appearance in the main draw at Wimbledon. Her best result is a third-round finish.
6. Tatjana Maria
At 37, Tatjana Maria will be the oldest player to compete in this year’s tournament. Remarkably, Maria is considered a dark horse in the draw thanks to her silky slice and powerful serve. And she will arrive at SW19 hot on the heels of her maiden WTA 500 title at Queen’s, where she defeated four Top 20 players. Her two daughters, Charlotte (11) and Cecilia (4), were both present to witness that triumph.
7. Anastasija Sevastova
Anastasija Sevastova is undoubtedly one of Latvia’s best tennis players in history. She is a former World No. 11 and a US Open semifinalist. Sevastova, 35, has a daughter named Alexandra who was born in 2022. She will use a special ranking to access the main draw.
8. Yanina Wickmayer
It is set to be an emotional Wimbledon for Yanina Wickmayer. This will be her last-ever appearance. The Belgian will retire after the tournament. Wickmayer is ranked outside the Top 700, but will use a special ranking to play. Wickmayer, who began practicing this week at Wimbledon, wrote in her recent post on Instagram that she is “surrounded by loved ones,” and that will most certainly include her four-year-old daughter, Luana.
9. Taylor Townsend
Taylor Townsend is the only one in the list who came through three qualifying rounds to reach the singles main draw. Townsend also forms one half of the most successful doubles duo in women’s tennis, alongside Katerina Siniakova. But as she balances life on tour and motherhood, Townsend has previously admitted that she has to sacrifice a special moment of leaving her four-year-old son Adyn Aubrey at home in order to travel to tournaments.
Main Photo Credit: Susan Mullane-USA TODAY Sports
