Belinda Bencic and Elina Svitolina make tennis history as the first mothers simultaneously ranked inside the WTA Tour’s top 10.
BELINDA Bencic and Elina Svitolina have made history as the first mothers ranked inside the WTA Tour’s top 10 at the same time.
The WTA hailed the milestone as an incredible moment for women’s sport.
Switzerland’s Bencic returned to the top 10 in January for the first time since stepping away in September 2023 to give birth to her daughter.
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She was joined in the latest rankings by Ukrainian Svitolina, a mother herself, following her run to the Australian Open semi-finals.
Both players utilised the tour’s Special Ranking Rule for returning mothers.
The WTA’s Family Focus Program supports players with ranking protection during pregnancy and postpartum support.
“Two mothers ranked inside the WTA’s Top 10 rankings for the first time is an incredible moment for tennis and for women’s sport,” said WTA chief executive Portia Archer.
She said it reaffirms the commitment to an environment where mothers can succeed at the highest level.
Bencic, now ranked ninth, said returning to the top 10 a year after maternity leave is something she is incredibly proud of.
“Very few people know or have experienced how difficult that journey is,” she said.
Tenth-ranked Svitolina called it a dream to return to the top 10.
“Doing it as a mother means so much to me,” she added.
Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek retained the world number one and two spots.
New Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina rose two places to number three. – AFP
