3 Moms, Including Serena Williams, Will Be In the U.S. Open Quarterfinals For the First Time in History

In case you missed it, history was made on Labor Day after after three moms advanced to the U.S. Open quarterfinals—the most we've ever seen in any Grand Slam.

Serena Williams, Tsvetana Pironkova and Victoria Azarenka all won fourth-round matches while playing in New York. Williams kicked things off with her victory against Maria Sakkari (6-3, 6-7 (6), 6-3), then Pironkova defeated Frenchwoman Alize Cornet (6-4, 6-7 (5), 6-3), followed by Azarenka's win against Karolina Muchova (5-7, 6-1, 6-4).

The three champions shared their thoughts about the historic moment, as well as their own experiences with balancing motherhood and work. See below for more details.

Williams, who shares her 3-year-old daughter Olympia Ohanian with Alexis Ohanian, now holds the record for most U.S. Open career wins at 102. In a previous post-match interview, she said, "I’m so happy that there are so many moms in the event, obviously, because I’m one. I just have a totally new respect for moms. I would never have thought I would be playing as a mom."

Pironkova, who took a three-year break to welcome her son Alexander in 2018, shared that she never stops working hard, even though balancing motherhood with the sport can be a challenge. She told NBC Sports, "If you make a good schedule and have the right motivation, you can combine the two things, motherhood and being a professional tennis player. It takes a lot of work but, you know, everything takes work."