Belinda Bencic is no stranger to hard work. The 27-year-old Swiss tennis player, who was World No. 4 in February 2020 before the COVID-19 outbreak, has been on the WTA Tour for over a decade.
Congrats to @BelindaBencic – the first ever Swiss woman to win a #gold medal in #tennis at the #Olympics#StrongerTogether | #Tokyo2020 | @ITFTennis | #SUI pic.twitter.com/lFCM4T1CYZ
— The Olympic Games (@Olympics) July 31, 2021
She was a 2019 US Open semifinalist losing to eventual champion Bianca Andreescu. Her biggest career accomplishment was winning the gold medal in women’s singles at the 2020 Toyko Olympics.
Belinda Bencic shares a new photo with her baby girl, Bella.
Motherhood looks good on you. 🥹 pic.twitter.com/AdUb4GBEYQ
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) May 31, 2024
In 2024, Bencic announced that she was pregnant with her first child. She never doubted that she would return to the WTA Tour and was back on the courts last fall competing in ITF tournaments. Her return has been much quicker than Petra Kvitova who also gave birth last year and has not publicly stated when or if she will return.
Belinda Bencic’s Tennis Goals Have Not Changed
Bencic is vying for her maiden Grand Slam. She believes she has plenty of tennis left in her career and is pushing herself hard to be ready to compete in 2025.
She is following the popular path of returning to the WTA Tour after childbirth. At one time, only Kim Clijsters, Victoria Azarenka, and Serena Williams were the legendary players who returned after becoming mothers. It is much more prevalent with Naomi Osaka, Angelique Kerber, and Caroline Wozniacki returning in the past 18 months. Bencic also is inspired by American sprinter Allyson Felix who excelled in her sport after motherhood.
Bencic has won eight WTA titles. Her best surface is the hardcourt so fans will get an early indication of how prepared Bencic feels and plays in Melbourne with a protected ranking at the 2025 Australian Open. When she cannot use her protected ranking, Bencic hopes to get tournament wildcards to enter other main draws this year.
