Is 40 the new 20 in women’s sports?

June 11, 2026

This CBC video titled “Is 40 the new 20 in women’s sports?” explores why women athletes are having significantly longer careers in 2026. Reporter Tara De Boer examines the trend, highlighted by Serena Williams’ comeback at age 44 to the tennis circuit, and investigates the reasons behind increasing career longevity in women’s sports. The deep dive addresses how women are now competing at high levels in their 40s where previously many would have retired by their 20s.

Key content points: Serena Williams’ comeback at 44 serves as the headline example—she has returned to the tennis circuit, but she’s “not alone in this trend.”

The core argument: Women didn’t suddenly become stronger, faster, or better at sports. Instead, the environment was never set up properly for women to compete longer in previous decades.

The shift: The video suggests that 40 is becoming what 20 was historically in women’s sports—meaning women are now having their prime or sustained competitive years much later than before.

Broader context: This trend reflects improvements in how women’s sports are supported, including better training resources, medical care, maternal policies, sponsorship opportunities, and overall infrastructure that allows athletes to maintain careers into their 40s.

The piece is a deep dive into the structural and cultural changes enabling this transformation in women’s athletic careers as we move into 2026. cbc