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The massive amount of physical strength required in professional tennis is simply indescribable, making it highly important for players to keep track of their health and well-being.
From explosiveness to endurance, a player has to fit all the parameters in order to be consistent on the court. At times, even the top names as well as highly fit players fall short of maintaining their health and fitness during the hectic and demanding tennis season.
Hence, it's really hard for one to understand the difficulties of playing tennis professionally while also being a mother. On several occasions, the pregnancy break has put a full stop to the careers of many great prospects, but at the same time, there have been a few players who have managed to make a successful comeback after becoming a mother.
Without further ado, let's take a look at 3 players who became Grand Slam champions after giving birth:
#1 Margaret Court
Margaret Court's legacy on the tennis court cannot be defined in words. The Aussie was the epitome of brilliance during the 60s and early 70s and won a record 64 Grand Slam titles throughout her illustrious career (24 in singles, 40 in doubles).
Moreover, she completed a Calendar Grand Slam in 1970, becoming one of only five players who have managed to do so.
In 1967, the Aussie was at the peak of her career when she married Barrymore Court. Five years later, she gave birth to her first child. After returning to action, Court was quick to capture the Australian Open, French Open and US Open in 1973.
#2 Evonne Goolagong Cawley
Evonne Goolagong Cawley was crowned the French Open and Wimbledon champion when she was only 19 years old. Competing with the likes of all-time greats such as Martina Navratilova and Margaret Court, the Aussie was a powerful and confident tennis star.
In 1975, Goolagong married Roger Cawley, who later became her coach as well as manager. She gave birth to her first child in May 1977 and won the Australian Open just a few months later.
Three years after winning the Grand Slam at Adelaide's Kooyong Stadium, the Aussie won her second Wimbledon crown, defeating Chris Evert in the final. With the title, she became the only woman in the Open Era to win Wimbledon after becoming a mother.
#3 Kim Clijsters
Kim Clijsters' tennis career is nothing short of impressive. The Belgian turned pro at the young age of 15 and five years later, in 2003, became the first Belgian to achieve the No. 1 ranking in both singles and doubles.
However, her career was constantly hindered by injuries and this was a key reason behind her retirement in 2007, aged only 23.
She married basketball player Brian Lynch shortly after and gave birth to her daughter, Jada, in 2008. Surprisingly, the Belgian returned to the WTA Tour in 2009 and went on to win that year’s US Open by defeating Caroline Wozniacki in the final.
The following year, she successfully defended her title in New York by beating Vera Zvonareva 6-2, 6-1. Clijsters also clinched the 2011 Australian Open title as she took down Li Na in the final. With the triumph, she became the first female tennis player after Margaret Court and Evonne Goolagong Cawley to become the World No. 1 while being a mother.
