Olympic gold medallist Belinda Bencic has completed one of the most extraordinary comebacks in modern tennis, surging from a ranking of world number 1,213 back into the elite top 10 just 14 months after returning to the tour as a new mother. The Swiss star, who gave birth to her daughter Bella in 2024, credits a transformed mindset and relentless physical work for her resurgence, which was capped by a stunning victory over world number two Iga Swiatek at the United Cup.
A Champion's Mindset: Focus on Process, Not Just Results
Bencic's plummet down the rankings in October 2024 was a stark reality of taking time away from the sport. Her return was meticulously planned, beginning not on the glamorous WTA tour but in smaller Challenger events. "I was still breastfeeding in the first four tournaments I played," Bencic revealed, highlighting the unique logistical challenges she faced. The scheduling around Bella's needs was paramount, with Bencic stressing that her daughter's wellbeing was always the first priority, even if it meant managing match stress alongside maternal duties.
The 28-year-old believes she is now a superior player to the one who won Olympic gold in Tokyo. "I definitely think I'm a better player now than I was before my pregnancy," she stated. This improvement stems from a shift in perspective. She now concentrates more on the process of improvement rather than fixating solely on results—a change that has ironically yielded even better outcomes. Her physical conditioning and on-court movement have also been overhauled, making her game more robust to meet the escalating demands of the modern women's tour.
The Logistics of a Touring Tennis Family
Bencic's support system is intimate and dedicated. In Melbourne for the Australian Open, her team consists solely of her husband Martin Hromkovic—who doubles as her strength coach and Bella's primary carer—and her tennis coach, Iain Hughes. "We're travelling with just the three and a half of us," Bencic joked, emphasising their conscious decision to forgo a nanny to keep their family unit close. This means Hromkovic manages a 24/7 role, integrating Bella's care into Bencic's training regimen, often bringing her to the gym.
This family-first approach extends to match days. For her first-round clash against Britain's Katie Boulter, Bencic explained that Martin and Bella will accompany her to the venue. After a shared warm-up, her husband will remain in the players' area with their daughter, perhaps catching glimpses of the match if circumstances allow. This balance provides Bencic with a powerful sense of perspective; win or lose, Bella's joyful greeting offers a world untouched by the scoreline.
Climbing the Mountain: A Surprising Return to the Summit
The scale of Bencic's ranking climb—over 1,200 places—is still sinking in. She admits she initially harboured hopes of maybe breaking back into the top 100 or top 50, but a return to the top 10 within a year "has definitely also been a surprise to us." Her victory over Swiatek in the United Cup final in Sydney was particularly sweet, serving as redemption for a heavy defeat to the Pole in the Wimbledon semi-finals last summer. That 6-0, 6-3 comeback win showcased the level she has regained.
Now, with nine consecutive victories at the United Cup under her belt and a restored position among the game's best, talk has turned to grand slam contention. Bencic remains cautiously optimistic. "My dream of winning a grand slam still continues," she affirmed, while acknowledging the unpredictable nature of seven-match slogs. Her immediate focus is firmly on navigating the first round at Melbourne Park, building momentum match by match, just as she has rebuilt her career—one deliberate, hard-won step at a time.
