In a groundbreaking development for women’s tennis, Elina Svitolina and Belinda Bencic have become the first mothers to simultaneously secure a spot in the WTA Top 10 rankings. The historic announcement came shortly after the 2026 Australian Open, marking a significant moment not just for the players but for the sport as well.
Belinda Bencic returned to the Top 10 in mid-January, a milestone achieved after a brief hiatus from competitive tennis following the birth of her daughter, Bella, in September 2023. This comeback coincided with Elina Svitolina’s remarkable performance at the Australian Open, where she reached the semifinals, thereby solidifying their positions in the elite rankings.
The WTA has been proactive in creating a supportive environment for athletes who are also mothers, launching several family-friendly initiatives in recent years. Both Svitolina and Bencic made use of the Special Ranking Rule designed for returning players, emphasizing the tour’s commitment to allowing women to balance the demands of motherhood with their professional careers.
In her response to this achievement, Bencic expressed immense pride, sharing, “Returning to the WTA Top 10 just a year after my maternity leave is something I am really proud of. Very few people understand the difficulties faced in this journey, but I owe a lot to my family and my team, who have put in unbelievable amounts of effort and dedication to help me reach this goal.”
Svitolina echoed these sentiments, stating, “It is a dream to be back in the WTA Top 10, and doing so as a mother makes it even more special. I’m grateful for my resilience and the incredible support from my fans.”
Portia Archer, WTA CEO, also praised this historic achievement, noting, “Having two mothers in the Top 10 for the first time is incredible for both tennis and women’s sports. This event underscores the remarkable accomplishments of Belinda and Elina and highlights our commitment to ensuring that mothers can thrive in elite sports.”
Additionally, the WTA saw Elise Mertens reclaim the No. 1 Doubles Ranking following her victorious run at the Australian Open, successfully partnering with Zhang Shuai. This achievement marked Mertens’ 40th week at the top, enabling her to surpass Katerina Siniakova, who had held the position since September.
Looking ahead, both Bencic and Svitolina aim to continue their exceptional performances and join an elite group of mothers who have clinched major singles titles, further enriching the narrative of women in sports.
