Sabine Lisicki reveals the physical toll of giving birth after pregnancy-related surgery | Tennis blog for women

While tennis is currently celebrating a historic milestone with two mothers (Elina Svitolina and Belinda Bencic) ranking simultaneously in the WTA Top 10 for the first time, Sabine Lisicki‘s story serves as a sobering reminder of that Motherhood often comes with profound physical challenges. The 2013 Wimbledon finalist’s experience shows 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 turns out to be much more difficult than she expected. In September 2025, the former world number 12 opened up about her struggles, writing:

I’m a mom and I never thought I wouldn’t be participating 9-12 months after giving birth. You may wonder why? Because I saw so many moms get back into shape in no time and do it all. While Breastfeeding day and night for a year, with 4-5 hour nights of sleep being my new normalI 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 okay. And also completely normal.

Now, Lisicki has revealed another challenge in her motherhood journey. In a recent update shared from a hospital bed, the German star revealed that she have undergone abdominal surgery in connection with pregnancy and birth. She wrote:

Motherhood demands a lot from you – sometimes more than you expect. I have undergone abdominal surgery due to pregnancy and birth. I am grateful that the problem has been identified and addressed. This is part of the journey of becoming a mother. Now I’m focusing on recovery and giving my body the time it needs to heal.

Although Lisicki has dealt with serious injuries and surgeries during her tennis career, this latest setback underlines the situation A huge physical toll that motherhood can take. The 36-year-old’s story is a reminder of the sacrifices women make when they become mothers, and how uncertain and demanding the path back to work can be, regardless of determination, discipline or past success.