5 Tennis Players Born in 2023 Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka

Modified at 10:32 GMT on October 12, 2023

This year, several tennis stars have performed brilliantly on the court and won a Grand Slam or WTA 1000 event. There are also many current and former players who have had many memorable moments off the field.

A number of tennis stars became mothers this year. Many of them are players who have won multiple Grand Slam singles championships and have been at the top of the WTA rankings for a long time. The list also includes several current players who have been absent from the sport for extended periods due to pregnancy but are expected to return for the 2024 season.

On that note, let’s take a look at five tennis players who gave birth in 2023.

---

#1. Serena Williams

Serena Williams gave birth to her second child in August, three months after announcing that she and husband Alexis Ohanian were expecting their second child Her second daughter, Adira River Ohanian.

The 23-time Grand Slam champion’s first daughter, Olympia, was born in September 2017, two months before she married Ohanian.

Serena Williams announced that she will retire in 2022, and the US Open will be her last match. The American defeated Danka Kovinic and Arnett Kontaveit to reach the third round, but lost to Ajla Tomljanovic.

---

#2. Naomi Osaka

Naomi Osaka announced in January 2023 that she would take a break from tennis as she became pregnant with her first child. The news comes shortly after Japan were drawn from the Australian Open.

Osaka, who is currently dating rapper Cordae, gave birth to daughter Shai on July 7.

The former world number one was last seen on the tennis court during last season’s Toray Pan Pacific Open in Tokyo. She advanced to the second round after her first-round opponent Dalia Saville was forced to retire early from the match due to injury.

Osaka has often claimed she hopes to return to tennis in 2024, and it will be interesting to see if she competes at the Australian Open.

---

#3.Angelique Korbel

Three-time Grand Slam champion Angelique Kerber announced her pregnancy when she withdrew from last year’s U.S. Open. The German gave birth to daughter Liana in February this year.

Kerber’s last match was Wimbledon 2022, where she reached the third round before losing to Elise Mertens.

The German said earlier this year that she would return at the start of the 2024 season, aiming to compete at the Australian Open.

“I will be back at the start of the new season and aim to play in the 2024 Australian Open. This includes preparations in January and maybe the Fed Cup in Germany. It would be a dream to return to a Grand Slam in Melbourne,” Kerber said .

---

#4.Ashley Barty

Ashleigh Barty retired from tennis last year, just months after winning the Australian Open. The Australian married fiancé Garry Kissick in July 2022 and announced her pregnancy in January this year. On July 4, 2023, Barty gave birth to the couple’s son, Hayden.

The 27-year-old tennis player has had an impressive career, during which she has won a total of 15 singles titles, including three Grand Slams, the 2019 French Open, the 2022 Wimbledon tournament and the 2022 Australian Open. She also won 12 doubles titles, including the 2018 U.S. Open women’s doubles title with Coco Vandeweghe.

---

#5.Carla Suarez Navarro

Former world No. 6 Carla Suarez Navarro also gave birth to a baby this year. The Spaniard is currently dating footballer Olga Garcia and gave birth to twin boys Noah and Ona on June 2, 2023.

Suarez Navarro has won two singles titles during his career, including a WTA 1000 title at the 2016 Qatar Open. She reached her eighth Grand Slam quarter-finals but failed to advance beyond that stage.

The Spaniard also won three double titles and reached the WTA Finals final in 2015, partnering compatriot Garbine Muguruza.