This week, for the first time in WTA history, two mothers are ranked in the top 10 simultaneously, with Belinda Bencic rising to No 9 in the world and Elina Svitolina to No 10.
WTA CEO Portia Archer described it as an “incredible moment for tennis and for women’s sport”, and both players are proud of what they’ve achieved so far in their respective journeys back from maternity leave.
Bencic, a former world No 4, gave birth to her daughter Bella in April 2024 and was back on court competing in some lower-level tournaments by October that same year.
The Swiss Olympic gold medallist was officially back on tour at the start of 2025 and in February, she clinched the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open title, in what was just the fourth WTA tour-level tournament of her comeback.
She’s back in the UAE capital this week, not just as the defending champion, but as a top-10 player, having re-entered that exclusive ranking bracket three weeks ago, a mere 14 months after returning from her maternity break.
Rocketing from 421 in the world at the start of 2025 to inside the top 10 a year later is a remarkable feat for any player, let alone a new mother; did Bencic
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