Belinda Bencic and Elina Svitolina have made history by becoming the first mothers to rank inside the WTA Top 10 at the same time. Bencic returned to the elite rankings in mid-January, while Svitolina joined her following a semifinal run at the Australian Open. Both players utilized the WTA's Special Ranking Rule for returning mothers to achieve this milestone.
On February 2, 2026, the WTA Tour announced a landmark moment in women's tennis: Switzerland's Belinda Bencic and Ukraine's Elina Svitolina are the first mothers to occupy spots in the Top 10 rankings concurrently.
Bencic, who stepped away from the sport in September 2023 to give birth to her daughter Bella, made her return to the Top 10 in mid-January. This marks her first appearance in the elite bracket since her maternity leave. She also earned MVP honors at the United Cup last month. "Coming back to the WTA Top 10 one year after returning to competition after maternity leave is something I am incredibly proud of," Bencic said. "Very few people know or have experienced how difficult that journey is, but my family, my team and I have put all of our energy, work and dedication into it to accomplish this goal. They deserve as much credit as anyone, and I am incredibly grateful for their support along the way."
Svitolina, mother to daughter Skaï, propelled herself into the Top 10 with a remarkable run to the Australian Open semifinals. The 31-year-old Ukrainian defeated Coco Gauff in a 59-minute match before falling to world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka 6-2, 6-3. Despite the exit, Svitolina reflected on broader perspectives amid Ukraine's ongoing war. "People are really living horrible and terrifying lives in Ukraine," she said. "So I should not be allowed to really be sad because I’m a very, very lucky person." On her ranking achievement, she added, "It’s a dream to return to the WTA Top 10, and doing it as a mother means so much to me. I’m proud of my fight and resilience, and I can’t thank the fans enough for their incredible support."
This historic pairing underscores the WTA's recent maternity initiatives, including the Special Ranking Rule, which protects rankings for up to three years post-maternity to ease returns to elite competition. WTA CEO Portia Archer praised the development: "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. Not only does this highlight the exceptional achievements of Belinda and Elina, it reaffirms the WTA’s commitment to creating an environment where mothers can continue to compete and succeed, at the very highest level of sport -- or any profession."
