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While tennis is currently celebrating a historic milestone with two mothers (Elina Svitolina and Belinda Bencic) ranked inside the WTA Top 10 at the same time for the first time ever, Sabine Lisicki’s story serves as a sobering reminder that motherhood often comes with profound physical challenges. The 2013 Wimbledon finalist’s experience highlights just how demanding pregnancy and childbirth can be on an athlete’s body, making the achievements of her peers even more remarkable.
Lisicki welcomed her first child, a daughter named Bella, in September 2024 and initially spoke optimistically about her return to professional tennis. However, the comeback has proven far more difficult than she anticipated. In September 2025, the former world No. 12 opened up about her struggles, writing:
I am a mom and I would have never thought that I wouldn’t be back competing at 9-12 months postpartum. You might ask why? Because I saw so many moms getting back in shape in no time and doing it all. While breastfeeding day and night for a year with nights of 4-5 hours of sleep being my new normal, I still tried to train. But my body needed more time. Time to heal from creating a miracle and bringing it into this world. And that’s ok. And totally normal too.
Now, Lisicki has revealed yet another challenge on her motherhood journey. In a recent update shared from a hospital bed, the German star disclosed that she underwent abdominal surgery related to pregnancy and birth. She wrote:
Motherhood asks a lot of you—sometimes more than you expect. I underwent abdominal surgery related to pregnancy and birth. I’m grateful the issue was identified and addressed. This is part of the journey of becoming a mom. Now I’m focusing on recovery and giving my body the time it needs to heal.
Although Lisicki has faced severe injuries and surgeries in her tennis career, this latest setback underscores the immense physical toll motherhood can take. The 36-year-old’s story is a reminder of the sacrifices women make when becoming mothers, and how uncertain and demanding the road back to work can be, regardless of determination, discipline, or past success.
