"Waiting for a miracle”: Wimbledon champion announces she is expecting her first child
WTAThursday, 24 September 2026 at 06:00
The 2025 Wimbledon doubles champion Veronika Kudermetova is set to begin a new chapter away from tennis after announcing that she is expecting her first child with husband and coach Sergei Demekhine. The former world No. 9 shared the news on social media alongside a photo of her growing baby bump, writing: "Waiting for a miracle."
The pregnancy brings further clarity to Kudermetova's absence from the WTA Tour in 2026. The 29-year-old has not played a competitive match since November 2025 and is now preparing to become a mother for the first time, with a return to professional tennis expected no earlier than the 2027 season.
Kudermetova finished 2025 on a high, winning Wimbledon and the WTA Finals in doubles alongside Elise Mertens. The Russian-Belgian partnership also won the WTA Finals together in 2022, making their 2025 success a second year-end title as a team.
The pregnancy announcement was warmly received by several of Kudermetova's fellow players, including Aryna Sabalenka, Belinda Bencic, Yulia Putintseva, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Caroline Garcia and Anastasia Potapova.
Kudermetova announces first pregnancy
Kudermetova announced the news on social media after a prolonged absence from competition. She had previously revealed that she underwent surgery at the end of 2025 and would spend an extended period away from tennis, describing the reason at the time as a “personal little secret.”
“Many of you know that the last two or three years have been very difficult for me: either injuries, then searching for something new in my tennis, then finding motivations for myself.”
Kudermetova explained that she had reached a point where her health and personal wellbeing needed to take priority. The pregnancy now marks the next stage of that break, with the Russian expected to remain away from competition through the 2026 season.
Her return will therefore have to wait until 2027, when she could begin another chapter of her professional career after becoming a mother.
A new chapter after Wimbledon success
Kudermetova enters motherhood having just enjoyed one of the strongest periods of her career. Alongside Mertens, she won her first Grand Slam title at Wimbledon in 2025, defeating Hsieh Su-wei and Jelena Ostapenko in the final. The pair also reached the Madrid and Rome finals earlier in the season.
Their season ended with another major success at the WTA Finals in Riyadh, where Kudermetova and Mertens defeated Timea Babos and Luisa Stefani to lift the title. The two trophies capped a campaign in which the pair reached four finals, including two WTA 1000 events, a Grand Slam and the season-ending championships.
Veronika Kudermetova — 2025 doubles finals/titles
| Tournament | Surface | Partner | Opponents | Result | Score |
| Madrid Open | Clay | Elise Mertens | Sorana Cirstea / Anna Kalinskaya | Loss | 7–6(12–10), 2–6, [10–12] |
| Italian Open | Clay | Elise Mertens | Sara Errani / Jasmine Paolini | Loss | 4–6, 5–7 |
| Wimbledon | Grass | Elise Mertens | Hsieh Su-wei / Jelena Ostapenko | Win — Title | 3–6, 6–2, 6–4 |
| WTA Finals | Hard (i) | Elise Mertens | Timea Babos / Luisa Stefani | Win — Title | 7–6(7–4), 6–1 |
The Russian has also enjoyed a strong singles career earlier in her career. She reached a career-high No. 9 in the world, won two WTA titles and reached the quarterfinals of Roland Garros in 2022. She has recorded 16 wins against Top 10 opponents, including 10 against players ranked inside the Top 5.
Her husband Demekhine has been part of that journey for many years. A former tennis player and coach, he began coaching Kudermetova when she was 15. Their relationship later became personal, and the couple married in 2017.
Read also
Demekhine has continued to work alongside Kudermetova throughout her professional career, making the pregnancy announcement another major milestone in a relationship that has accompanied her rise from teenage prospect to Grand Slam champion. Now, after ending 2025 with Wimbledon and WTA Finals glory, Kudermetova is preparing for a very different milestone.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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