Alicia Molik has become a mother for the first time.
The 30-year-old Australian tennis champion and former world number eight, who is married to Tim Sullivan, gave birth to son Yannik Jude in Perth last week.
Molik, who would usually be in Melbourne at this time of year as a player or commentator at the Australian Open, confessed to the Herald Sun that she will probably not continue playing, but hopes to carry on coaching children.
"I couldn't imagine I would [return as a mother]," she said. "I'd like to continue really being involved in the development of young kids in the future because I feel like it's my responsibility as well to give back.
"I asked them to protect my ranking in case I ever had that desire, just because I could, not because I necessarily wanted to return at the time. The door's always open, but I've played for 12 years and it's quite a rigorous life on tour for nine months a year and I don't think it would really serve as a stable environment for a newborn travelling around week-to-week and being in a different city week-to-week."
Molik has not competed on the WTA tour since the Australian Open last year. She lost in the second round in her comeback from a post-Olympics retirement.
> Sheree Murphy, Harry Kewell welcome fourth child
> Beyoncé gives birth to baby girl Blue Ivy Carter in New York
