London: Belinda Bencic and Elina Svitolina have made tennis history by becoming the first two mothers to be ranked inside the WTA Top 10 at the same time, marking a powerful milestone in women’s sport, as reported by BBC Sport.
Bencic, who gave birth to her daughter Bella in 2023, has completed a remarkable comeback to return to the elite tier of women’s tennis. Her rise back into the Top 10 stands as one of the most impressive post-maternity returns in recent years.
“Coming back to the Top 10 after becoming a mother is something I’m incredibly proud of,” Bencic said, highlighting the challenge of balancing motherhood with elite competition.
Svitolina, meanwhile, re-entered the Top 10 following an outstanding run at the Australian Open, continuing her strong resurgence after welcoming her daughter Skaï. The Ukrainian star described the achievement as both emotional and inspiring.
“This milestone means so much to me — not just as a player, but as a mother,” Svitolina reflected.
A Milestone Beyond Tennis
Their joint presence in the Top 10 represents more than rankings — it reflects progress in how professional sport supports motherhood, with the WTA’s maternity policies and protected ranking system playing a key role in enabling returns to top-level competition.
This historic moment challenges old assumptions that motherhood and peak athletic performance cannot coexist, setting a new benchmark for future generations of female athletes.
Bencic and Svitolina are not just winning matches — they are reshaping what is possible in women’s tennis.
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