On July 10, 2025, Belinda Bencic received a standing ovation from the crowd on Wimbledon’s Centre Court after falling to Iga Swiatek in the semifinals. The moment was more than just a farewell—it marked a celebration of a successful comeback and a testament to her resilience.
While motherhood during an active career is not unheard of—recent examples include Serena Williams and Naomi Osaka—Bencic’s resurgence in a demanding, evolving tour has drawn widespread praise.
The Swiss star, who once partnered with Roger Federer to win back-to-back Hopman Cup titles in 2018 and 2019, has long been a staple of the women’s game.
A Wimbledon semifinalist, Bencic first broke through in 2015 with WTA titles in Eastbourne and Toronto, defeating then-top players like Agnieszka Radwanska and Simona Halep.
A career built on consistency and big moments
After a stretch of inconsistency, Bencic returned to top form in 2019, winning the WTA 1000 event in Dubai and a WTA 500 title in Moscow. She climbed to a career-high No. 4 in the world in 2020, proving her place among the game’s elite during an era that featured Serena Williams, Naomi Osaka, and Simona Halep.
In 2021, Bencic delivered one of her most memorable performances at the Tokyo Olympics, capturing gold in singles with a win over Marketa Vondrousova and silver in doubles alongside Viktorija Golubic. That same year, she reached three WTA finals, rounding out a standout season.
Motherhood and the road back
Bencic and her husband—also her fitness coach—Martin Hromkovic welcomed their daughter, Bella, in April 2024. She took time away from the tour throughout her pregnancy and early motherhood, during which her ranking fell as low as No. 487. But that didn’t matter. As she has since shared, her focus was on family.
Her return to competition began quietly in late 2024. Traveling with her husband and daughter, Bencic quickly found her rhythm. She won the WTA 500 event in Abu Dhabi early in 2025, setting the tone for what would become a milestone season.
Her deep run at Wimbledon, highlighted by her gritty play and emotional poise, confirmed she remains a threat on the biggest stages. Now ranked No. 20 in the live rankings, Bencic has reclaimed her place among the sport’s best—less than a year after becoming a mother.
When asked recently about balancing motherhood with life on tour, Bencic said: “I wasn’t looking at the draw thinking, ‘Well, I’m the last mother here, I have to win.’ That’s not how it works. I’m juggling things, like any mom… So, congratulations to all the mothers!”