Bencic and Svitolina Create Historic Milestone as First Mothers in WTA Top 10 Simultaneously
In a groundbreaking moment for professional tennis, Belinda Bencic of Switzerland and Elina Svitolina of Ukraine have achieved a historic first by becoming the initial mothers to be ranked simultaneously within the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) Tour's top 10. The WTA has celebrated this achievement as "an incredible moment for women's sport", marking a significant shift in the landscape of elite athletics.
Personal Journeys Back to Elite Competition
Bencic, currently ranked ninth, made her triumphant return to the top 10 in January after stepping away from competition in September 2023 following the birth of her daughter, Bella. Her comeback represents a deeply personal and hard-earned accomplishment that few athletes experience.
"Coming back to the WTA Top 10 one year after returning to competition after maternity leave is something I am incredibly proud of," Bencic shared. "Very few people know how difficult that journey is."
Svitolina, now ranked tenth, joined Bencic in the elite bracket after her impressive run to the semi-finals of the Australian Open. The Ukrainian star, mother to daughter Skai, expressed similar sentiments about her achievement.
"It's a dream to return to the WTA Top 10. Doing it as a mother means so much to me," Svitolina stated, highlighting the emotional significance of her accomplishment.
WTA's Family Focus Program Enables Success
This landmark achievement has brought renewed attention to the WTA's Family Focus Program, an initiative designed to make elite tennis more compatible with motherhood through several key measures:
- Ranking protection during pregnancy
- Postpartum return-to-play support
- Paid maternity leave provisions
Both Bencic and Svitolina utilized the Special Ranking Rule for returning mothers, demonstrating how these institutional supports can facilitate successful comebacks at the highest competitive levels.
WTA Chief Executive Portia Archer emphasized the significance of this moment: "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. It not only highlights the exceptional achievements of Belinda and Elina, but also reaffirms the WTA's commitment to creating an environment where mothers can continue to compete and succeed at the very highest level."
Current WTA Rankings Landscape
While Bencic and Svitolina make history, the top of the rankings continues to feature established stars:
- Aryna Sabalenka maintains her position as world number one
- Iga Swiatek holds steady at number two
- Newly crowned Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina climbs two places to number three
The remainder of the top eight includes Amanda Anisimova, Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, Mirra Andreeva, and Jasmine Paolini, creating a diverse and competitive field at tennis's highest echelons.
This historic achievement by Bencic and Svitolina represents more than individual success—it signals a transformative moment in professional sports where motherhood and elite athletic performance can coexist and thrive simultaneously. Their journeys demonstrate how institutional support combined with personal determination can break barriers and create new possibilities for athlete mothers worldwide.
