Wimbledon finalist Ons Jabeur just pressed pause for the best reason: she’s expecting a baby boy in April. 

In a soft-lit Instagram photo, the Wimbledon finalist smiled beside an ultrasound image, radiating the kind of joy only new parents know. For a player known for her fierce serves and even bigger heart, it was a moment of pure stillness, one that instantly connected her fans around the world.


Jabeur announced on Monday that she is expecting her first child and will be taking an extended break from professional tennis. Sharing the news on Instagram, the three-times Grand Slam runner-up, known affectionately as the “Minister of Happiness,” wrote, “I took a little break to reset and recharge … Turns out, we’ve been planning the cutest comeback ever.”

Reuters confirms she is expecting a baby boy in April and will temporarily step away from the sport to focus on family.

For moms, and anyone juggling ambitious careers, the announcement is a powerful reminder that prioritizing mental health and family doesn’t have to come at the cost of professional achievement.

For anyone who’s ever felt the tug between career and caregiving, her post hits differently. Jabeur has been open about her struggles with depression and the pressure to keep performing, even when her heart needed rest. Her decision to step away is a reminder that rest can be an act of strength — and that choosing family doesn’t mean giving up ambition.

Jabeur, a former world number two and two-time Wimbledon finalist, has been candid about struggling with depression with Reuters, amid the grueling WTA tour schedule, making her decision to pause both brave and relatable.

Behind Jabeur’s joyful announcement is a bigger shift happening in women’s sports, one that finally recognizes that motherhood and peak performance can coexist.

Related: Tennis star Sloane Stephens wants pro athletes to be able to freeze their eggs without impacts on their rankings

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 postpartum while still receiving financial support.
  • Protected ranking: This allows a player returning from pregnancy to enter tournaments based on her ranking prior to leaving, even if it dropped during time away. Essentially, it ensures moms can rejoin competition without starting from scratch.
  • Fertility support and special entries: Expanded policies introduced in 2025 also assist players navigating conception challenges and re-entry to major events. (Sources: Women’s Health, Women’s Tennis Association)

These protections showcase a cultural shift toward valuing well-being and family alongside ambition. Moms watching Jabeur’s journey can see a template for carving out boundaries, building a supportive team, and prioritizing both career and personal life.

The comeback playbook

For working moms outside the spotlight, these changes echo something familiar: the need for systems that make it possible to keep showing up: for work, for family, for ourselves, without having to choose one over the other. Watching the sports world catch up feels like progress for all of us.

History shows that returning to tennis after pregnancy is possible. Icons like Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka have returned to competition while raising children, benefiting from player-led rule changes that improved seedings and entries for moms. Jabeur’s decision underscores that there is no single path, taking a pause doesn’t mean the end, but rather a strategic reset.

What parents can take from this moment

  • Pressing pause is not quitting. Protecting your mental and physical health is part of long-term success.
  • Build a support system at home and work; even small shifts in responsibility make a difference.
  • Don’t hesitate to ask for flexibility. Script you can use: “I’m planning for [reason] and would appreciate support with [task]—can we adjust deadlines or schedule?”

Related: Naomi Osaka says pregnancy helped her discover her worth — and moms everywhere feel that truth

Looking ahead for Jabeur

With her baby due in April, Jabeur’s exact return timeline is flexible, as training readiness often precedes competitive readiness. Fans and fellow athletes alike are sending messages of joy and encouragement, showing the global admiration for her both 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 🥹🥹🥹🥰🥰🥰this made me smile so hard!!!” — @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 the reminder that ambition and family can coexist.