‘Being a mum doesn’t win matches’: tennis stars turn focus back to sport |

A few days after the end of Roland Garros, the world No 89, Taylor Townsend, had a message to share. In a video posted on Instagram, she recalled the obstacles she has faced in her short career and the resilience that has guided her through it all. She then revealed she will be taking maternity leave, ending with a simple conclusion: “I’m sure this won’t be any different so I will have to prove them wrong again.”

But perhaps she will not have to prove anyone wrong this time. The success – and increasing prominence – of mothers on the tour has been one of the most notable stories of the year. Nine mothers were present in the US Open draw, with Serena Williams, Victoria Azarenka and Tsvetana Pironkova all reaching the quarter-finals. They have demonstrated there is a clear career pathway for all those who wish to give birth and return. In recent months the former No 66 Mandy Minella, the former No 12 Yanina Wickmayer and Townsend have all announced their intention to do so.

When Azarenka and Williams rejoined the WTA in 2017 and 2018 respectively, there were few rules in place to aid their returns. But led by Azarenka while she was on the WTA player council, prominent players have used their power to enforce change. More nursery facilities have been made available at tournaments, a three-year maternity leave has been established on the WTA and Williams’ return forced tournaments to think about seeding players after maternity leave.

And yet the question remains: how should people talk about professional athletes who are also mothers? During the US Open, the topic of motherhood dominated the players’ matches, press conferences and the surrounding discussions. It peaked when Pironkova and Williams faced each other and the on-court announcer introduced them as if they were heading to parents’ evening rather than entering a grand slam quarter-final with $800,000 (£616,000) prize money on the line. “From Bulgaria, Alexander’s mum, Tsvetana Pironkova,” he roared. “From Palm Beach Gardens, a six-time champion and Olympia’s mum, Serena Williams!”

Less is said about the fact they remain ambitious, disciplined professional athletes with many aspirations that are not related to their offspring. When Kim Clijsters pulled off her historic 2009 comeback, winning the US Open in her third tournament back after her retirement in 2007, motherhood essentially became part of her brand. It did not quite align with her own state of mind in the heat of competition.

“A lot of people say, ‘Oh you’re a mother,’ but as a player you forget about that,” Clijsters said on the WTA Insider Podcast in 2017. “That’s a question being asked in the media after every match: ‘What are you going to…