Being a mother requires speed, stamina, and agility. It can exhaust even Olympic champions.
April Ross and Alix Kleinman may be known to the world as beach volleyball gold medalists at the 2020 Tokyo Summer Olympics, but these days, the world-class athletes are moms at home.
“Becoming a mother has changed everything,” said Ross, a new mother to six-month-old baby Ross. “Volleyball used to be the center of my life. Everything revolved around it. Now being a mom is number one.”
As Ross and Kleinman prepare to play together for the first time since becoming mothers at the 2024 AVP Huntington Beach Open in Huntington Beach, Kleinman, who is the mother of 11-month-old Theo, I literally had a hard time getting back into the game.
“I was like, 'Okay, it might be over,' and then April texted me and I was like, 'Do you want to play?'” Kleinman explained. “I'm willing to play with anyone at this point.”
Athletes said juggling the hectic elements of life, such as caring for young children and preparing for international competitions, gave them a new perspective.
“Before, you had to go to practice. Now you can go to practice,” Kleinman said. “It definitely makes us appreciate being there. It's social time. It's time to get out of the house. It's me time.”
The Olympic medalists will not be competing in the Paris Olympics as there are not enough international competitions remaining to qualify for the Summer Olympics, but their competitive spirit remained strong heading into the AVP tournament.
“We want to do everything we can,” Ross said. “We probably won't be happy unless we win the tournament. But we also need to be a little bit realistic about what our expectations will be.”
Ross and Kleinman are familiar with the Huntington Beach competition, having won the 2019 tournament.
“It's a chance for anyone local to see the top competition before they go to the Olympics,” Kleinman said. “It’s going to be really fun because all the top players will be playing.”
Before they don their professional athlete hats, they will celebrate their first Mother's Day and remember the love and support they received from their mothers, who are now grandmothers.
“I feel like she's always in my corner, helping me out,” Kleinman said. “It's crazy that that's the role I'm playing.” [my son] And for the future children I have. ”
Meanwhile, Ross plans to appreciate some extra me time before resuming motherhood and training.
“I want to go get my nails done.”