Wimbledon finalist Ons Jabeur She just took a break for the best reason: she’s expecting a baby boy in April.
In one Instagram photo with soft lightingthe Wimbledon finalist smiled next to an ultrasound image, radiating the kind of joy only new parents know. For a player known for her ferocious serves and even bigger heart, it was a moment of pure serenity, one that instantly connected with her fans around the world.
Jabeur announced Monday that she is expecting her first child and will take an extended break from professional tennis. Share the news on Instagramthe three-time Grand Slam runner-up, affectionately known as o “Minister of Happiness” wrote, “I took a little break to reset and recharge… Turns out we were planning the cutest comeback ever.”
Reuters confirms she is expecting a baby boy in April and will temporarily retire from the sport to focus on family.
For mothers and anyone juggling ambitious careers, the announcement is a powerful reminder that prioritizing mental health and family need not come at the cost of professional achievement.
For anyone who has ever felt the pull between career and caregiving, her post strikes a different chord. Jabeur has been open about her struggles with depression and the pressure to keep performing, even when her heart needed a rest. Her decision to move away is a reminder that resting can be an act of strength—and that choosing a family doesn’t mean giving up on ambition.
Jabeur, a former world number two and two-time Wimbledon finalist, has been candid about battling depression with Reuters, amid a grueling WTA tour schedule, making her decision to quit both brave and credible.
Behind Jabeur’s happy announcement is a larger shift happening in women’s sports, one that finally recognizes that motherhood and peak performance can coexist.
Related: Tennis star Sloane Stephens wants professional athletes to be able to freeze their eggs without affecting their ranking
Pregnancy leave in women’s tennis: How it works
THE Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) now offers comprehensive family protections designed to support players like Jabeur. Key updates include:
- Paid maternity leave: Players can take time off during pregnancy and after childbirth while still receiving financial support.
- Protected ranking: This allows a player returning from pregnancy to enter tournaments based on her pre-retirement ranking, even if she dropped during the absence. Essentially, it ensures that moms can get back into the competition without starting from scratch.
- Fertility Support and Special Listings: The expanded policies introduced in 2025 also help players navigate capture challenges and get back into big events. (Sources: Women’s Health, Women’s Tennis Association)
These protections show a cultural shift toward valuing prosperity and family alongside ambition. Mothers following Jabeur’s journey can see a role model for setting boundaries, building a support group, and prioritizing both career and personal life.
The book of return
For working mothers out of the limelight, these changes echo something familiar: the need for systems that make it possible to constantly show up: for work, for family, for ourselves, without having to choose one over the other. Watching the world of sports feels like progress for all of us.
History shows that returning to tennis after pregnancy is possible. Icons such as Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka have returned to competition while parenting, benefiting from player-driven rule changes that improved seeding and entries for mothers. Jabeur’s decision highlights that there is no single path, the pause does not mean the end, but rather a strategic reset.
What parents can take away from this moment
- Pressing pause does not terminate. Protecting your mental and physical health is part of long-term success.
- Build a support system at home and at work; even small changes in responsibility make a difference.
- Feel free to ask for flexibility. Script you can use: “I plan for [reason] and I would appreciate support with [task]— Can we adjust the deadlines or schedule?
Related: Naomi Osaka Says Pregnancy Helped Her Discover Her Worth — And Moms Everywhere Are Feeling That Truth
Looking ahead to Jabeur
With her baby due in April, Jabeur’s exact return schedule is flexible, as training readiness often precedes competition readiness. Fans and teammates send messages of joy and encouragement, showing the universal admiration for her on and off the court.
- “I know how much you wanted this, I’m so happy for you.”— @wonhochung
- The best news ever❤️🫶🏻 — @belindabencic
- “OMGOMGOMG 🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹 — @luisastefani
- “To play with baby Martin 😂👏👏 congrats to you both love you guys ❤️” — @ferverdasco
Jabeur’s announcement is a celebration of family, resilience and the growing space for women to thrive in both arenas. Moms everywhere can take inspiration from her “new teammate” and a reminder that ambition and family can coexist.
