With the latest sports star to announce news of a new baby being tennis legend Maria Sharapova, we put together just a few of the most exciting pregnancy announcements so far in the world of sport - we wonder how much of that athletic talent will rub off on these up-and-comers!
Maria Sharapova at Wimbledon 2012 / Image credit Allstar Picture Library / Alamy Stock Photo
Maria Sharapova and Alexander Gilkes
Legendary tennis star Maria Sharapova has announced that she and her fiancé, auctioneer and businessman Alexander Gilkes, are expecting their first child together. The retired champion revealed the news on her 35th birthday a week ago in an Instagram post where she wrote: “Precious beginnings!!! Eating birthday cake for two has always been my specialty.”
Nicola Adams and Ella Baig
Olympic gold medallist Nicola Adams OBE, 39, and her partner Ella Baig, 23, revealed their success in finally getting pregnant after two unsuccessful rounds of IVF. “After what feels like a lifetime, we can finally say we’re going to be parents!” Nicola wrote on Twitter. “We’re so excited to share this magical journey with you all, the ups, the downs, everything in between.”
The British boxer previously spoke out about the stigma attached to conceiving via IVF and the “complexity” of going through something like that as a same-sex couple. She also revealed that a previous round of IVF sadly ended in miscarriage.
Julie Ertz and Zach Ertz
US soccer star Julie Ertz and her NFL player husband Zach Ertz are expecting their first child after marrying in Santa Barbara back in 2017. “Adding to our starting lineup… Baby Ertz!” She said in her social media announcement, accompanied by the Bible reference Psalms 30:11-12 (“You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever!”).
James Haskell and Chloe Madeley
In a less romantic post, former rugby star James Haskell has been slammed by female fans for referring to his pregnant wife Chloe Madeley as a “sea cow” in a post he shared featuring the personal trainer floating underwater in her swimwear.
“Bloody hell you go snorkelling and the first thing you see is a huge sea cow doing a mating display!” He joked. “She appears to think I’m her partner. I didn’t know whether to harpoon it or feed it.”
He was, on the other hand, as tender as he could be when announcing their pregnancy back in February: “Chloe and I are so excited to announce we are expecting our first child! From the moment I saw her and heard her little heartbeat I fell in love! Lets hope she looks like her Mum.”
MORE: Yorkshire Midwives on Call: “We want to promote and encourage pregnant women to consider homebirths”
Crystal Dunn and Pierre Soubrier
NWSL wing-back Crystal Dunn is due to give birth to her first child with her husband Pierre Soubrier in May. The baby will join their already thriving brood of five chickens and three cats.
“The biggest blessing of them all: We are so excited and happy to be adding a member to our family in 2022!” She told her fans back in November.