Imagine battling back to the top of your game after having a baby – it sounds almost impossible, right? Belinda Bencic not only did it but claims she's actually better now than before her pregnancy! Let's dive into how she pulled off this incredible feat.
Since returning to competitive tennis as a new mom, Belinda Bencic has achieved a mind-boggling climb of over 1,200 places in the world rankings. In October 2024, she found herself at a distant No. 1,213. But with the unwavering support of her husband, Martin Hromkovic – who also serves as her strength and conditioning coach – and the adorable baby Bella cheering her on, she stepped back onto the court with renewed determination.
Her comeback story reached a thrilling climax on January 11th. Just 14 months after her return, Bencic faced off against Iga Swiatek, the world No. 2 and reigning Wimbledon champion, in the final of the United Cup in Sydney. While Swiatek clinched the first set, Bencic unleashed a torrent of exceptional tennis, dismantling Swiatek 6-0, 6-3 in the following two sets. This victory sealed her ninth consecutive win of the week for Switzerland and propelled her back into the world's top 10.
Bencic's talent has been evident for years. She captured the Olympic singles title in 2021 and reached a career-high ranking of world No. 4 in early 2020. But here's where it gets controversial... many believe the odds are stacked against mothers attempting to sustain success on the demanding WTA tour. The schedule is brutal, the travel rigorous, and the matches are physically and mentally draining. Yet, the affable and sharp 28-year-old has crafted one of the most inspiring sporting narratives of recent times.
When asked about the secrets to her improved performance post-pregnancy, Bencic pauses thoughtfully. "It’s difficult to pinpoint exactly why, but I'm intensely focused on refining my game. There's also pressure because everyone else is improving. Tennis is evolving – it's becoming more physical and faster-paced. But I also think my mindset has shifted. I'm prioritizing the process over the results – which is ironic, given the results are following! Primarily, during my comeback, we concentrated heavily on physical fitness and court movement. That has significantly elevated my game."
And this is the part most people miss... She also highlights a crucial element: Bella's unconditional love. Win or lose, her daughter is simply overjoyed to see her mom. "It's so true," Bencic laughs. "I still desperately want to win and pour my heart into playing well and achieving my goals. But if it doesn't happen, my world doesn't collapse. I can leave everything on the court and have a fulfilling life outside of tennis, not defined solely by results."
Did Bencic always maintain unwavering faith in her ability to return successfully? "Absolutely. I've overcome injuries and setbacks multiple times. I was confident I could do it again. Once you've reached the top 20, top 10 repeatedly, you know you have what it takes. That belief is invaluable."
She explains, "I didn't play much during pregnancy. I didn't feel like it, and I was a bit apprehensive. I mostly enjoyed my time off. After three months of pregnancy, I stopped hitting balls altogether. My first hit post-partum was three months later. I started gently on a small court, focusing on feeling the ball and gradually building fitness."
A pivotal decision by Bencic and her team was to ease back into competition through smaller Challenger events, away from the main WTA tour. "Absolutely," she affirms. "It's arrogant to assume you can stop playing and immediately return to your previous level after pregnancy. It doesn't work that way. I didn't want to enter [WTA] tournaments and consistently lose in the first round, lacking match play and confidence. Starting in smaller tournaments allowed me to test myself and gauge my level."
"I was still breastfeeding during the first four tournaments, so we had to coordinate the schedule around Bella. How would we make it work? We didn't want to dive into the highest level of competition without addressing these challenges. It was a unique experience – feeling tired and playing with a different body. Figuring out the timings was tricky. I once had a three-set match and was stressed about expressing milk and Bella getting hungry."
"But for me, Bella's needs always came first. If it hadn't been possible to accommodate her, I wouldn't have continued. Luckily, we found a workable schedule."
While Bella is with her parents in Melbourne, Bencic is adamant that she doesn't have a large support team for the Australian Open. "Actually, no, it's just Martin looking after her, along with my coach [Iain Hughes]. So, it's the three and a half of us! We prefer not to hire a nanny because we want Bella to be close to us and grow up with us, not someone else. It's challenging, especially for Martin, who's an amazing father and with her 24/7. He also works with me, so we take Bella to the gym. We somehow manage, improvising day by day."
Bencic laughs, adding that during her first-round match against Katie Boulter, "Martin and Bella will be at the site. We'll warm up together, then he'll stay with her in the players' area or the restaurant while I play. If she's sleeping, he might watch a bit of my match."
Has Bencic had time to fully process her remarkable ascent in the rankings? "Not really. I'm focusing on the Australian Open. Afterwards, we can reflect and say, 'Well done – one year back, and we made it to the top 10.' Even finishing 2025 as No. 11 was emotional and made me feel proud."
She further explains, "Initially, it's hard to envision reaching that level again. You wonder, 'Can I really get back there? How long will it take?' It's crucial not to dwell on the long term. I had no expectations and didn't put pressure on myself regarding the comeback timeline. I simply enjoyed the process and lived in the moment. After playing a few tournaments, I realized I still had the ability to compete at a high level. I thought about playing grand slams and maybe reaching the top 100 or top 50. A top 10 comeback was unexpected."
Bencic's strong performance at Wimbledon last summer, reaching the semi-finals, made her victory over Swiatek even more satisfying. "It was a huge win, because she completely dominated me at Wimbledon. I tried a different approach to beat her in Wuhan [in October], getting closer. She won 7-6, 6-4. Last week, I tried another approach, and I'm thrilled it worked. It's great to challenge myself against her because Iga's an incredible champion."
Given Bencic's current form, some experts are suggesting she's a serious contender at the Australian Open. Does she share those aspirations? "Yes, absolutely. But it's funny – before every grand slam, the media and experts speculate about potential winners. Ultimately, it's unpredictable because you need to win seven consecutive matches. You need to be sharp from the start. You can be in peak form, but your opponent might simply be better on that day. So, I'm cautious about predictions. I know I'm capable of playing great tennis and competing with the top players, which gives me confidence. But my focus is on the first round, working my way into the tournament, and continuing to win."
After her accomplishments over the past year, as a returning top-10 player and a fulfilled mother, Bencic allows herself a brief glimpse at even greater heights. "Well, you know," she says almost shyly, "my dream of winning a grand slam still lives on. I'm going to give it my all and see if it works out. I hope it does, and I believe I can do it." What do you think? Can Belinda Bencic achieve her Grand Slam dream? Do you believe motherhood enhances or hinders a tennis player's career? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
