The best player in the world revealed that she will temporarily retire from the WTA circuit to give birth. She didn’t give an exact date for when that would happen, though she said it wouldn’t be “too soon.” Aryna Sabalenka wants to be a young mother and promised to return to tennis.
Aryna Sabalenka also wants to hug a child, not only trophies. Photo EPA EFE
After an exceptional season, in which she won two Grand Slams and two WTA 1000 tournaments, the Belarusian ended the year on the first place in the ranking, beating the Polish Iga Swiatek. Sabalenka is preparing to defend her title at the Australian Open, but just before the start of the tournament in Melbourne she made an important announcement.
Three players managed to win a GS from the position of mother
Aryna Sabalenka will temporarily retire from tennis, but she will return. “I’ll be 27 this year, I’m getting close to retirement. I don’t want to have my first child when I’m 35. I want to give birth and then get back on the circuit.” said Aryna Sabalenka, without announcing when she will make this decision.
In WTA history, only three players have managed to win a Grand Slam after giving birth and returning to the circuit. The legendary Margaret Court was the first athlete to win a major tournament as a mother, in 1973, right at the Australian Open, after a last act with Evonne Goolagong. Her opponent in that final and Kim Clijsters are the other two athletes who have managed this kind of performance.
