Tennis

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.

Sabine Lisicki, the former Wimbledon finalist, has announced her pregnancy and vowed to make "one more comeback" to professional tennis. The 34-year-old German has endured a litany of injuries throughout her career, but her determination remains unwavering.Lisicki's journey has been marked by both triumph and adversity. In 2012, she reached the Wimbledon final, where she lost to Serena Williams. She also won four WTA titles and achieved a career-high ranking of world No. 12. However, injuries have plagued her since then, including two major knee injuries, ankle problems, a shoulder issue, and mononucleosis.Despite these setbacks, Lisicki has shown remarkable resilience. In 2023, she won her first title in nine years at the ITF W60 event in Calgary, Canada. This victory came after an 18-month absence due to her second knee injury.Lisicki's return to form has been inspiring. She has qualified for the WTA 500 in Charleston and reached the quarterfinals of the grass-court event in Bad Homburg. Her current ranking is No. 374, but she is determined to climb back up the ladder.Lisicki's pregnancy announcement has been met with both joy and anticipation. She and her fiancé are eagerly awaiting the arrival of their child, but she is also committed to returning to the court. Her unwavering spirit and determination suggest that she has one more comeback in her.