Mandy Minella will become a mother for the second time in December and despite the original plan to retire at the end of this year, Luxembourg’s No.1 will return to competitive action some time in 2021.
The 34-year-old Minella and her husband Tim Sommer welcomed their first child, daughter Emma Lina, in October 2017. As a new WTA mom, who had famously played Wimbledon while being four and a half months pregnant, Minella made a super quick comeback to tennis, ending her maternity leave just three and half months after giving birth. It was far from a smooth ride, though, as Minella was shocked to see her form completely deteriorated:
My muscles were not reacting and my whole core was gone.
Taking care of a newborn and adapting to a tennis schedule was also extremely challenging:
If she wakes up during the night before a match, it’s not great because it’s hard to get back to sleep knowing you have to play soon.
Even though Minella planned to hang up her racquet at this end of this season, the 2020’s coronavirus pandemic would prevent her from making a proper goodbye, so she wants to play again in 2021. On her comeback after she gives birth to her second daughter, the current world No.147 Minella will enjoy a protected ranking. Ideally, she wants to be fit again for the 2021 French Open. (source: Luxemburger Wort)
Amazing/happy news…congrats to Mandy!
Looking forward to seeing her back on the court though…!
Frank, thank you for informing me about this!