Elina Svitolina returned to tennis in April after delivering a baby girl. She entered the court with minimal expectations, and the tennis community did not see the storm in the making. But the Ukrainian believed in herself and stunned the world with her post-pregnancy wins. Even the tennis legend Serena Williams could not match her level when she returned after delivering Olympia.

Though the Ukranian lost in the third round of the US Open to American Jessica Pegula, Svitolina’s comeback will end up in history books. The 33-year-old reminded the world of what mothers can achieve with their sheer determination.

Elina Svitolina’s post-pregnancy comeback bags a rare record

The Ukrainian stunned the world when she beat the World No.1 Iga Swiatek in her 2nd Grand Slam just after giving birth. Svitolina ended the 14-match winning streak of the Pole. Her consecutive major runs earned her a spot beside the Australian legend Evonne Goolagong, who won the Wimbledon Championships in 1980, a major she won soon after her return from childbirth.

According to ‘The Tennis Letter’ report, Svitolina is the first woman in 44 years to reach the play-offs for two consecutive Slams after pregnancy. The tweet read, “Elina Svitolina became the first mom to reach the QF or better in her first 2 Grand Slam appearances since childbirth in 44 years. ✅Roland Garros QF, ✅Wimbledon SF. Evonne Goolagong was the last woman to achieve this in 1979. Mom Strength. 💙💛.”

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The three-time Grand Slam semi-finalist started the year by participating in the Charleston Open. But she exited in the first round. After three such first-round exits, Svitolina bagged her first title as a mother when she won the Strasbourg Open. The Ukrainian then reached the quarter-finals of the French Open and ended up as a Wimbledon semi-finalist. Serena did not get into form immediately like Svitolinia, but she enjoyed an impeccable run till she bid goodbye.

Serena Williams’ fiery comeback as a mother is yet to be recreated

Momma Smash played her first major in the Roland Garros in 2018, months after delivering her first daughter. Though she did not lose any match, the 6 time US Open winner retired from the tournament in the third round, a few hours before one of the highly anticipated matches. Serena was set to play against Maria Sharapova but pulled out due to a pectoral injury in June. But the 41-year-old made her comeback by reaching the finals of Wimbledon in July.

Serena reached the finals of the US Open, too, but lost to Naomi Osaka. In 2019, she started the season by reaching the quarter-final of the Australian Open but lost to Karolina Pliskova. Serena then reached the finals of the All-England Championships but lost to Simona Halep. The then-new mommy reached the finals of Flushing Meadows, ending her 2019 season on a high note.

The Olympic Gold winner began her 2020 run by winning her first-ever title as a mother at the Auckland Open and ended as a US Open semi-finalist. In 2021, ReRe’s form declined, though she started the season as an Australian Open semi-finalist. This was her grand run at the major before retiring at her home turf in the US Open. Serena reached the playoffs of the Grand Slam 7 times after pregnancy, a feat yet to be equaled.

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