These Seven Mothers Are Ready For Indian Wells

“Let’s hear it for the working moms everybody!” 

These words rang out from tournament emcee Andrew Krasny during Monday’s BNP Paribas Open draw ceremony, as the names of mothers were placed in the women’s singles draw – again, and again. 

GET TICKETS

Thanks to rules enacted in late 2018 – which allow returning mothers more time to use their protected ranking to gain entry to tournaments – mothers have been given a better chance to come back and reach their previous highs on the WTA Tour. 

Since then, mothers doing more winning on Tour has become a bigger part of the fabric of women’s tennis. And a welcome source of inspiration for mothers – and fans – from all walks of life. 

At last year’s US Open, 10 mothers played the main draw, and in January, eight were present in this year’s Australian Open main draw. 

And at this year’s BNP Paribas Open, the trend continues in full force. Seven mothers have taken their place in the main draw, including four-time Grand Slam and 2018 Indian Wells Champion Naomi Osaka. 

In total, the moms in this year’s draw boast 10 Grand Slam titles, and 92 tour-level titles. 

For Osaka, who gave birth to her daughter Shai last July, motherhood has helped her recognize an inner strength that she didn’t previously know she possessed. 

“Becoming a mom changed my mindset a lot,” the four-time Major champion said earlier this year. “I’m a lot more open-minded, a lot more patient. But, also, I feel a lot stronger, physically. I think Shai definitely helped me with the way I view things.” 

For historical perspective, only three moms have ever won a Major title – Margaret Court, Evonne Goolagong and Kim Clijsters, and a mother has never triumphed at Indian Wells. 

Could 2024 be the inaugural mom coronation at Indian Wells? Here’s a rundown of the seven moms that will make a play for the title this year. 

Victoria Azarenka (Son Leo, born in 2016) 

2012 and 2016 champion Azarenka gave birth to her baby boy Leo on December 19, 2016. The two-time major champion came close to becoming the fourth mother to win a Major title when she played the final at the 2020 US Open, but she fell in three sets to Naomi Osaka (more on her down the page).