Belinda Bencic Secures First WTA Victory After Motherhood
In an empowering display of resilience and determination, Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Belinda Bencic snatched victory from the jaws of defeat at the WTA 500 tournament in Abu Dhabi. The Swiss champion vanquished American opponent Ashlyn Krueger, bouncing back from a set deficit, in a thrilling three-set encounter. Driven by the unwavering support of her 10-month-old daughter, Bella, who was present at the event, Bencic clinched the title less than a decade after her birth.
Bencic, who fought diligently to regain her form following maternity leave, triumphed 4-6, 6-1, 6-1. Craving a comeback, the mother-athlete overcame Krueger's initial dominance, boasting an impressive 30 winners throughout the title-deciding set.
Gathering the crowd at Zayed Sports City International Tennis Centre, Bencic expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to return to Abu Dhabi. Emotions swelling, she acknowledged the hard work persevered since her maternal leave while cherishing the poignant moments of winning in front of her cherished family. Explicating her heartfelt appreciation, Bencic declared:
"To my husband and my daughter Bella, I love you so much. It was a big dream for me to come back and play in front of her and to win a tournament."
Transitioning from a strong opening set by Krueger, who racked up 21 winners, to a sublime second set with merely three unforced errors by Bencic, the stage was set for an exhilarating climax. Bencic capitalized upon this momentum to secure an early lead in the third set, breaking Krueger twice before sealing her victory with her 30th winner.
Bencic's triumphant title conquest in Abu Dhabi brought her back to the winner's circle as a mother, earning her the esteemed position of the first mother to claim a WTA singles title since Elina Svitolina's Strasbourg triumph in May 2023.
Her touching victory speech, echoing her affection for her family, received admiration from several sources, including the WTA website:
"Obviously big emotions, of course," Bencic exclaimed. "It was a tough final, I feel like I needed to put [on] my turbo in the second and third set. It was a really special moment, seeing Bella there in the third set."
Return to the Tour
Before embarking on her triumphant journey in Abu Dhabi, Bencic kickstarted her comeback from maternity leave. After giving birth in April 2024, she resumed her professional career in October, engaging in three competitive events, including a WTA 125 event, an ITF Challenger, and Billie Jean King Cup Playoffs. In January 2025, her return to the WTA-level saw Bencic participating at the United Cup.
Later, Bencic honed her skills in a tune-up event in Adelaide, preceding her first Grand Slam event since the 2023 U.S. Open. Bencic reached the round of 16 at the Australian Open, where she encountered rising star Coco Gauff. Despite the loss, the Swiss champion's comeback was marked by progress and newfound strength.
Notably, giving birth at the age of 23, Bencic ascended to the 65th spot in the WTA rankings following her Abu Dhabi victory. With a modest 10-3 record this year, Bencic's valiant efforts continue serving as an inspiration to aspiring mothers who share her passion for tennis.
Reflecting on Bencic's journey as a mother and a champion, the WTA offers an intriguing statistic, highlighting her ranking as the third-lowest when claiming a WTA 500 title. Bencic joins this distinguished list, with Alexandra Dulgheru (2009 Warsaw ranked No. 201) and Serena Williams (2011 Stanford ranked No. 169) securing their respective victories with lower rankings.
References:[1] BBC[2] WTA[3] WTA Tennis[4] Belinda Bencic[5] Elina Svitolina
- Belinda Bencic's victory at the Abu Dhabi Open marked her return to women's tennis news, making headlines in sports news outlets globally.
- The Tokyo Olympics gold medalist's triumph in Abu Dhabi earned her her first WTA title as a mother, a feat that garnered praise in tennis news coverage.
- As Bencic celebrated her victory, tennis enthusiasts eagerly awaited her participation in the upcoming Tokyo Olympics tennis events, hoping to witness another inspiring performance.
- Following her success in Abu Dhabi, Bencic was invited to defend her title at the next Abu Dhabi Tennis event, garnering attention in the Abu Dhabi open tennis schedule.
- Bencic's powerful performance and heartfelt speech inspired women's tennis players worldwide, with many aspiring mothers drawing inspiration from her story and Bencic's WTA title win.
