“I’ve never seen Naomi Osaka smile so much” – Molik on Australian Open mums’ club

There were eight mothers in the main draw of the Australian Open – and at Monday’s Legends media hour, two-time Grand Slam doubles champion Alicia Molik expressed just how thrilled she was to see it happen.

Molik and her husband started their family after she retired from tennis, but she is impressed by so many women opting to do the same thing but return to top-class sport.

“I’ve loved watching the mums’ club and many of the mums come back to the tour,” she said. “I think it just adds a huge amount of interest but also I think inspiration for the next generation to know that, yes, women can still have a wonderful career, can still take time out of the sport and come back and achieve.

“I think the precedent has been set largely from mums like Lindsay [Davenport] and Kim Clijsters. So if they can do it, the next generation can do it.”

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Osaka has a grand slam on the horizon in the next 18 months – Molik

Naomi Osaka was the most high-profile comeback this time round, but lost in the first round to Caroline Garcia – less than six months after giving birth to her daughter.

“I think she has a Grand Slam on the horizon within the next 18 months,” added Molik.

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“Angelique Kerber too, I’ve been enjoying watching her comeback.

“I think the other interesting to note is that the mums who have returned, they left the sport still in a really healthy state. They didn’t have injuries, they weren’t leaving because of a physical reason other than, you know, deciding to start a family. So they’re returning I think with a new invigoration and new zest.

“Naomi Osaka, for instance, I’ve never seen smile as much as she has at this Australian Open throughout her whole entire career.

“We know how much of a bubble it is. So having perspective, everyone who is a mum comes back with a newfound appreciation and perspective for the sport that they mostly love, but I think when you’re in the thick of it, you can learn to hate it very quickly, as well. You know, everything that comes with professional sport.

“So motherhood, I think, brings a really healthy perspective. Look what Vika [Victoria Azarenka] is achieving. 34 years of age, too. She’s still moving as well as she was when she was 21. You know, Elina [Svitolina] sadly just retired, she had a back issue. I watched her match and I thought she was a real contender here.

“Maybe it’s a secret. Maybe we need more mums on tour, and dads. Shout-out to the dads, too.”

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