Anastasija Sevastova`s return to tennis after maternity leave has faced considerable challenges.
The former World No. 11 from Latvia welcomed her daughter Alexandra in December 2022. She resumed playing in November 2023, ending a 22-month break. Sevastova reached the quarterfinals in her initial four events (two WTA 125 tournaments in late 2023, followed by Cluj-Napoca and Austin in early 2024). However, a significant ACL injury sustained in Austin threatened to halt her comeback almost as soon as it started.
Following another 14-month absence, which left her unranked, Sevastova made her second return to the circuit at an ITF W75 event in Koper, Slovenia, last week, reaching the second round. Her return to the main WTA tour this week at the Mutua Madrid Open brought a tough first-round draw against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, an opponent who had dominated their head-to-head for over a decade, winning all eight matches between 2010 and 2021 and losing only two sets.
However, in a closely fought match featuring two former Madrid semifinalists (Sevastova in 2017, Pavlyuchenkova in 2021), the 35-year-old Sevastova, a mother, prevailed in two tight sets. Sevastova`s trademark drop shot, often hit unexpectedly from defensive positions, was highly effective. Pavlyuchenkova also displayed her touch with similar shots.
Games were frequently lengthy battles. Sevastova held serve after a four-deuce game to open the match and later broke Pavlyuchenkova to lead 2-0 in the second set after seven deuces. Pavlyuchenkova secured the longest game, saving eight break points and reaching 12 deuces before leveling the second set at 2-2. Nevertheless, Sevastova ultimately secured the win, finishing the match with a well-executed lob.
Sevastova`s next opponent will be the 23rd seed, Jelena Ostapenko, who recently won the Stuttgart title. This will be a matchup between two Latvian players from different generations. Sevastova has won both of their previous encounters, most recently in Stuttgart in 2019.
Bencic Celebrates Daughter`s Birthday with Win, Kvitova Exits
Day 2 in Madrid saw varying results for two other players returning after becoming mothers. Belinda Bencic of Switzerland had a memorable day, celebrating her daughter Bella`s first birthday with a dominant 6-0, 6-2 win over Turkish qualifier Zeynep Sonmez in just one hour. Bencic, who returned from maternity leave last October, has quickly climbed the rankings to World No. 42 and already secured a title in Abu Dhabi this February. Her next match is against 20th seed Clara Tauson.
In contrast, three-time Madrid champion Petra Kvitova`s return was less successful. The Czech player, aged 35, lost to Katie Volynets with a score of 6-4, 6-0. Kvitova started strongly, leading 4-1 in the first set, but then lost eleven consecutive games. Since returning from maternity leave in February, Kvitova`s record stands at 0-4. Volynets will advance to play 13th seed Diana Shnaider.
