Belinda Bencic’s tennis comeback has been a remarkable journey, highlighted by her return to the WTA Tour after pregnancy. The Swiss player, who made waves in 2015 by winning the Canadian Open and beating top-ranked players, including Serena Williams, began her comeback in September 2023 at the San Diego Open while about eight weeks pregnant.
In November 2024, Bencic made her return to professional tennis at the ITF W75 tournament in Petange, Luxembourg, where she was ranked No. 1213 in the world. By December, she had climbed to No. 913, and after reaching the final of the WTA 125 event in Angers, France, she soared to No. 421 in the world rankings. This progress was capped off by a win over world No. 123 Chloe Paquet in the United Cup at the end of the year.
However, Bencic’s path to a successful return began long before her on-court performance. Just two months after giving birth to her daughter, Bella, Bencic began pelvic floor and core stability exercises. Gradually, she rebuilt her muscle strength and started hitting tennis balls again. Despite the physical progress, Bencic emphasized that regaining her reactions on the court—especially in returning serves—was the hardest part. “It’s not talent; you have to train it,” she said, highlighting how daily practice sharpens the ability to see and react to the ball.
The physical changes from pregnancy were initially “strange” for Bencic, a feeling she shares with other athletes in similar situations. Naomi Osaka, speaking at the Australian Open, also noted how difficult it is to get back to a professional level after childbirth. Bencic echoed this, explaining that her body felt different once she was no longer pregnant. “It was weird, but you adjust to it,” she said.
For Bencic, the most challenging aspect was the inability to move freely or engage in sports during her pregnancy. “It felt very limiting,” she recalled, adding that she was eager to return to activities like running and going to the gym. “It really went from 100 to zero,” she said. She was also in awe of how quickly her body changed, noting that it takes about nine months to recover after pregnancy, just as long as the pregnancy itself.
Bencic used her time in Luxembourg and France to not only test her game but also figure out how to manage the demands of being a mother while playing professional tennis. She found that practice courts and match courts felt like “two different universes,” but the experience helped build her confidence. Even a tough loss to world No. 4 Jasmine Paolini at the United Cup served as a reminder of how much work still lies ahead.
Despite the challenges, Bencic has found a way to balance her tennis career and motherhood. Bella, a good sleeper, has made it easier for Bencic to train and compete, with Bencic’s physical trainer, Hromkovic, stepping in to care for Bella while Bencic practices. Bella’s grandmothers also help, with Bencic’s mother joining the family at the Australian Open. Though Bencic is adjusting to life with less sleep, she is grateful for the support system in place.
Like many working parents, Bencic faces emotional struggles over balancing career and childcare, a sentiment echoed by fellow player Taylor Townsend. She shared how the guilt of being away from her child for long stretches of time can be overwhelming. In these moments, Townsend focuses on making the most of the time spent with her child.
Motherhood has changed Bencic’s perspective on both her family and her tennis career. “Tennis used to be my one and only life,” she said, recalling how much pressure she used to put on herself for every match. “Now it’s more like a job,” she added, noting that while she still loves tennis, it no longer defines her entire existence. Losing a match no longer feels like the end of the world.
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