Belinda Bencic is back. Not just "back on tour" or "back in the rankings," but back in that terrifying, clinical way that makes top-tier opponents look like they’ve forgotten how to hold a racket.
Honestly, if you watched her demolish the field in Abu Dhabi or Tokyo recently, you’d never guess she spent most of 2024 away from the baseline. Most players take years to find their rhythm after a major life change. Bencic? She basically decided that motherhood was the ultimate performance enhancer.
The "Mom Power" Era is Real
Let’s talk about the comeback because it’s actually insane. In April 2024, she gave birth to her daughter, Bella. By October, she was already back playing ITF matches. Fast forward to the end of 2025, and she’s sitting at world No. 11 after starting the year virtually unranked (somewhere around the 900 mark).
That doesn't just happen.
Tennis is a sport of millimeters and split-second timing. Usually, when a player returns after thirteen months away, their footwork is heavy and their serve is a mess. But Bencic skipped the "struggle phase." She won WTA 500 titles in Abu Dhabi and Tokyo and reached the semifinals at Wimbledon. It’s arguably the most efficient return to the top ten in the history of the WTA, right up there with Kim Clijsters.
What changed?
According to Bencic herself, it’s all about the perspective. She recently mentioned on a podcast with Caroline Garcia that for years, she played with this crushing anxiety. She felt like she had to be there. Now, with Bella in the stands and her husband/fitness coach Martin Hromkovic by her side, the pressure has evaporated. She’s playing because she wants to. And a relaxed Belinda Bencic is a dangerous human being.
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Why Her Game Style is So Different
If you’re new to following her, you have to understand the pedigree. She isn’t a "power" player in the sense of Aryna Sabalenka or Elena Rybakina. She doesn’t just try to blast you off the court.
Bencic is a chess player.
She was trained by Melanie Molitor—who just happens to be the mother of Martina Hingis. You can see that DNA in every point. She takes the ball incredibly early, often standing inside the baseline to take time away from her opponent. It’s a very "Swiss" style of tennis: smart, efficient, and technically perfect.
- The Backhand: It’s her bread and butter. She can change direction on a dime.
- The Return: Roger Federer once famously praised her return of serve during their Hopman Cup runs. She stands in, blocks the ball, and suddenly the server is on the defensive.
- The IQ: She doesn’t just hit cross-court; she redirects the ball down the line when you least expect it.
She’s often compared to Hingis, but Bencic has more raw power. She’s stronger. She can hit winners from defensive positions that Hingis might have struggled with. It’s basically the "Hingis 2.0" build.
The Federer Factor
We can’t talk about Swiss tennis without mentioning the GOAT. Bencic and Roger Federer won back-to-back Hopman Cups in 2018 and 2019. If you want to see pure joy on a tennis court, go watch those old highlights.
Bencic has often said that playing with Roger was like a masterclass in staying calm. She was so nervous before their first match together that she spent the entire practice session just hitting volleys because she didn't want to "spoil" his points.
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He eventually told her to just relax and play her game. That mentorship stuck. Even now, you see flashes of that Federer-esque "cool" in her big matches. She doesn't panic. When she won the Olympic Gold Medal in Tokyo, she looked like the calmest person in the stadium while everyone else was wilting under the heat and pressure.
Dealing with the "Injury Curse"
It hasn't all been trophies and celebrations. For a long time, the narrative around Bencic was "what if?"
By the age of 18, she was already in the top ten. Then, the wheels fell off.
- 2016: Back injuries.
- 2017: Major wrist surgery that required five months of rehab.
- 2018: Foot issues.
She fell outside the top 300. People thought she was done, another child prodigy burned out by the physical demands of the tour. But Bencic claims those injuries actually saved her career. They forced her to realize how much she actually loved the sport. Instead of feeling entitled to win, she started feeling grateful just to be on the court.
That mental shift is why she’s still here at 28, playing better than she did at 18.
What Most People Get Wrong
There’s a misconception that Bencic is "too emotional" on court. Yeah, she gets fiery. She talks to her box. She might show some frustration.
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But look at her record in finals. She’s a "big game" player. When the stakes are highest—like the Olympic final against Marketa Vondrousova or the BJK Cup finals—she finds an extra gear. Most players crumble when they represent their country; Bencic seems to draw energy from it. She’s the anchor of the Swiss team for a reason.
What’s Next for Bencic?
The goal for 2026 is pretty obvious: a Grand Slam title.
She’s done everything else. She has the Olympic Gold. She has the team titles. She’s been top 5. The only thing missing from the mantle is a Major trophy. With her current form and the "no-pressure" mindset she’s carrying as a mom, the 2026 season looks like her best shot.
If you're looking to follow her progress, pay attention to her movement. When Bencic is moving well and taking the ball early, there isn't a player on the WTA tour she can't beat. She proved that by taking down Iga Swiatek at the United Cup recently.
Next Steps for Fans:
- Watch the Footwork: Check out her next match and watch how close she stays to the baseline compared to her opponent. It’s a masterclass in court positioning.
- Follow the Schedule: Keep an eye on her performance in the upcoming Middle East swing (Abu Dhabi/Doha/Dubai). She traditionally plays some of her best tennis on those fast hard courts.
- Check the Rankings: She is currently making a massive push back toward the Top 5; a deep run at a Major will seal the deal.