Elina Svitolina Ties Serena Williams for Highest Ranking as a Mom (No. 7)

The Ukrainian tennis star's rise to No. 7 in the WTA rankings is a remarkable achievement for working mothers in sports.

Apr. 12, 2026 at 10:33am

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A cubist-style painting depicting a tennis match or competition, with the players and court broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes in vibrant colors, conveying the dynamic energy and complexity of professional sports as a working mother.The rise of Elina Svitolina as a top-ranked mom in professional tennis highlights the challenges and triumphs of balancing a demanding career with motherhood.Indian Wells Today

Elina Svitolina has reached a career-high ranking of No. 7 on the WTA tour, tying Serena Williams' record as the highest-ranked mom in professional tennis. This milestone highlights the challenges and triumphs of balancing a demanding sports career with motherhood, and raises questions about the support systems needed for working mothers in the industry.

Why it matters

Svitolina's achievement is significant not just for her personal success, but for what it represents for all working mothers in sports. It shines a light on the difficulties they face in maintaining elite performance while also raising a family, and underscores the need for more flexible schedules, resources, and community support to help them thrive.

The details

In just a few months, Svitolina has won a title in Auckland, reached a Grand Slam semifinal at the Australian Open, a WTA 1000 final in Dubai, and another WTA 1000 semifinal at Indian Wells. This run of results has propelled her back into the Top 10 of the WTA rankings for the first time since returning to the tour as a mom three years ago.

  • Svitolina rose from No. 12 to No. 10 in the WTA rankings this week.
  • She has now tied Serena Williams' highest ranking as a mom at No. 7.

The players

Elina Svitolina

A Ukrainian professional tennis player who has reached a career-high ranking of No. 7 on the WTA tour, tying Serena Williams' record as the highest-ranked mom in professional tennis.

Serena Williams

A legendary American professional tennis player who previously held the record for the highest ranking achieved by a mom on the WTA tour at No. 7.

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The takeaway

Svitolina's achievement highlights the need for better support systems and resources to help working mothers in the sports industry balance their careers and family lives. The tennis community has a responsibility to address this issue and ensure that all athletes, regardless of their parental status, have the opportunity to thrive.