Belinda Bencic and Elina Svitolina Belinda Bencic and Elina Svitolina have made tennis history by becoming the first mothers to both be ranked in the top 10 on the WTA Tour – a milestone the governing body hailed as an “incredible moment for women’s sport”.Go Beyond The Boundary with our YouTube channel. SIGN UP NOW!Switzerland’s Bencic returned to the elite group in January, breaking back into the top 10 for the first time since she retired from the competition in September 2023 after the birth of daughter Bella. She was joined in the latest rankings released on Monday by Ukraine’s Svitolina, who climbed into the top 10 after reaching the semi-finals of the Australian Open. Svitolina is Skai’s mother.The watershed moment also shined on the WTA Family Focus program, which in recent years has aimed to make elite tennis more compatible with motherhood. The initiative includes rating protection during pregnancy, post-partum return-to-play support and paid maternity leave – measures both Bencic and Svitolina used through a special rating rule for returning mothers.“Two mothers to be ranked in the top 10 of the WTA rankings for the first time is an incredible moment for tennis and for women’s sport,” said WTA Chief Executive Portia Archer. “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 highest level.”Bencic, ranked ninth, described her comeback as deeply personal and hard-earned. “Returning to the WTA top 10 a year after returning to competition after maternity leave is something I’m incredibly proud of,” she said. “Very few people know how difficult the journey is.”Svitolina, now ranked 10th, echoed those sentiments. “It’s a dream to get back into the WTA Top 10. To do that as a mother means so much to me,” she said.At the top of the rankings, Aryna Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek maintained their world No. 1 and No. 2 positions, while fresh Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina climbed two places to No. 3. Amanda Anisimova, Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, Mirra Andreeva and Jasmine Paolini rounded out the top eight.
