Retired WTA professional tennis player and Charleston native Shelby Rogers returned to commentating on the Tennis Channel during the Credit One Charleston Open, but this year she exuded an extra glow.
If you noticed the amiable Rogers smiling even more than usual on TV, that’s because the former world No. 30 and her husband John Slavik welcomed their first child on Jan. 7, a bundle of joy the couple named Caleb John.
“I keep telling everyone I’m just learning a lot,” said Rogers of this new chapter of motherhood in an April 3 interview with Mount Pleasant Magazine. “And it’s been so incredible. I say the days are the longest ever, but somehow the time is flying. He’s already 3 months old and I’m so excited to be back here and bring him. Growing up here and then bringing my kid back here. I think I’ve learned a whole new definition of love, which has been so beautiful.”
One thing she discovered early on is that there are a lot of skills that translate between professional tennis and raising an infant, including patience, problem-solving, persistence, routines and adapting to different situations and figuring things out. While there were many sleepless nights in the beginning, Rogers added, “It’s crazy how your body adjusts to less sleep.”
Rogers found herself missing the broadcast booth during her hiatus and even posted a funny video of her commentating to Caleb in her living room. She has been regularly watching tennis matches from home and she and John took full advantage of staying up late nights during January to catch some of the Australian Open while caring for Caleb.
She expressed gratitude for the opportunity to work three days on the set of the Tennis Channel’s “TC Live” show at COCO and plans to commentate more for the network this year. “I wouldn’t want to do it anywhere else,” said Rogers. “I’ll be out in LA continuing with Tennis Channel some throughout the year. And actually calling matches and doing full tournaments and things. I love commentating and staying involved in tennis.”
Although there are prominent examples of moms who have returned after having children and experienced success on tour, including Serena Williams, Kim Clijsters and Belinda Bencic, the 2024 South Carolina Tennis Hall of Fame inductee, who retired after the 2024 US Open, put any questions of a possible return to rest. “I’m saying ‘never,’” stated Rogers. “I have so much respect for those girls and now having gone through it, it’s just incredible.”
While physically she believes it would be feasible with hard work, Rogers feels content with her career ending when it did. She has no regrets. “I’m just so happy with this new chapter – and telling all the other players’ stories from the booth. I’m honestly a tennis fan now, and I love watching the girls.”
She did play a good-natured prank on her fans, though. On April 1, Rogers posted on social media that she planned to come out of retirement, later revealing that it was just an April Fools’ joke. Unfortunately, some people didn’t read the whole caption before commenting and missed the punchline.
While she has officially ruled out a comeback, Rogers still follows the tour closely as she prepares to return as an analyst. “I do enjoy watching, and I enjoy the battles. And I feel like the game is evolving so much, which is awesome, just seeing the incredible athletes and how much stronger and faster and diverse they’re getting,” recounted Rogers. “Men and women. The game’s in such a special place right now.”
She shared her perspective as a former player while appearing on “TC Live” April 3-5 alongside host Steve Weissman and fellow players including Charleston resident Alison Riske-Amritraj (retired) and Danielle Collins, the 2024 Charleston champion, who is working as an analyst while recovering from a back injury.
Rogers, who grew up in Mount Pleasant’s Snee Farm neighborhood before her family moved to Daniel Island when she was 8, is still mentoring tennis youth with the WTA and in her home community of Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Lately, she has started getting into some sports ministry as well.
“The mentoring I think is a space that I’m super passionate about,” asserted Rogers. “Whether it’s faith-based or tennis-based, I just love speaking to that next generation and offering help where I can and advice where I can. I don’t have all the answers, but I can share my experiences.”
By Colin McCandless
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