Tennis

Five years ago, American tennis star Alison Riske-Amritraj made history at Wimbledon by reaching the quarterfinals. Her remarkable run included an upset victory over then-world No. 1 Ashleigh Barty.Today, Riske-Amritraj is celebrating a different kind of milestone: the birth of her first child, daughter Calen Ann Amritraj. The former world No. 18 and her husband, Stephen Amritraj, announced the arrival of their little girl on July 5th.Calen's unique name is a tribute to two of the most important women in the couple's lives: their mothers, Carol and Helen. Both women share the middle name Ann, which has now been passed down to their granddaughter."May she be full of the same grace, love, grit, and strength, (amongst many other wonderful things), as her namesakes," Riske-Amritraj wrote on social media.The tennis community has showered the new parents with well wishes. Coco Gauff, Emma Navarro, and Asia Muhammad were among the first to congratulate the couple.Riske-Amritraj last competed at Wimbledon exactly one year ago. She announced her pregnancy in March and has been eagerly awaiting the arrival of her daughter."Cheers to our 5th of July firecracker- may this life be everything you ever dream of," she wrote. "Dad & mom couldn’t be more excited and in love!!!!"Riske-Amritraj's journey to motherhood has been a testament to her resilience and determination. She has balanced her tennis career with her personal life, proving that it is possible to achieve both professional and personal success.As she embarks on this new chapter in her life, Riske-Amritraj will undoubtedly draw inspiration from the strong women who have come before her. Her daughter, Calen, will be a constant reminder of the love, support, and strength that surrounds her.

Alison Riske-Amritraj, a former Top 20 WTA player, is expecting a baby girl with her husband, former ATP pro Stephen Amritraj. The couple announced the exciting news in a creative video posted on Instagram, which also introduced their new dog, Teddy.Riske-Amritraj, 33, is due to give birth in July, just before the Paris Olympics. She represented the United States at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and is the third Tokyo Olympian to announce her pregnancy in recent months, following Belinda Bencic and Petra Kvitova.The former world No. 18 married Amritraj, the nephew of former world No. 18 Vijay Amritraj, in 2019. Her announcement was met with congratulations from her WTA peers, including Jennifer Brady, Danielle Collins, Lauren Davis, and Johanna Konta.Riske-Amritraj's last match was a first-round loss to Paula Badosa at Wimbledon last summer. She has won three WTA titles and reached the quarterfinals of Wimbledon in 2019, where she upset world No. 1 Ashleigh Barty.Riske-Amritraj's pregnancy announcement is a reminder that even after retiring from professional tennis, athletes can continue to lead fulfilling lives and pursue their passions. It also highlights the growing trend of female athletes starting families later in their careers, thanks to advances in reproductive technology and a more supportive environment for working mothers.