Former doubles World No.3 Andrea Sestini Hlavackova made a special announcement on Wednesday, sharing with members of the Czech media that she is expecting a child with husband Fabrizio Sestini this summer.
"It was definitely something we planned in our lives, though it happened quicker than we expected," she said in an audio statement following the press conference. "We're so happy it's gone this way, especially in light of how my last season finished, so it's truly great timing."
Sestini Hlavackova enjoyed a successful partnership with childhood friend Barbora Strycova in 2018, reaching five finals and winning two titles at the Connecticut Open and China Open to qualify for the BNP Paribas WTA Finals Singapore presented by SC Global, where they reached the semifinals.
"I have no concrete plans to come back to tennis right away, but I will definitely keep my options open. I've taken a protected ranking and will freeze it for as long as I can so I might make a better decision about whether to come back. That would only happen after our baby is born, and healthy and going through all the right things.
"I definitely want to be able to say a proper goodbye to my career and announce a career retirement one day, but I don't want to expect now that I'm expecting!" she joked.
Ranked as high as World No.58 in singles - reaching the second week of the 2012 US Open - Sestini Hlavackova has taken to TV commentating since shifting to a doubles-only career, and is eager to remain involved with tennis as she moves closer to motherhood.
"I'm enjoying this time a lot, and everything is going well so far, so keep your fingers crossed for our new family, and I'll continue connecting with my fans on social media to keep them updated. I'll certainly stay in the sport in the meantime, likely for media and other opportunities. I'm excited about this new opportunity that awaits."
