Belinda Bencic has made a triumphant return to tennis, capturing her ninth career title at the WTA 500 Abu Dhabi Open—her first as a mother.
The former World No. 4 stunned the field, defeating Marketa Vondrousova, Elena Rybakina, and finally Ashlyn Krueger in the final to reclaim the Abu Dhabi crown she won in 2023.
With an impressive 11-2 record to start the 2025 season, Bencic has defied expectations after coming back from maternity leave, proving that she’s still a force to be reckoned with on the WTA Tour.
🔥 Bencic’s Comeback: An Instant Success Story
- Many players returning from maternity leave struggle to regain their top form, but Bencic has bucked the trend with immediate success against elite competition.
- Her road to the title in Abu Dhabi included gritty wins over Grand Slam champions Vondrousova and Rybakina, showcasing her resilience and top-tier shot-making.
- This win marks a major milestone, as she joins a growing list of tennis moms who have successfully returned to the WTA Tour.
🔥 Boris Becker & Caroline Wozniacki Lead Tennis World’s Reactions
Bencic’s emotional triumph sparked an outpouring of praise from fellow players and tennis legends.
🏆 Boris Becker was particularly impressed, writing on X (formerly Twitter):
“That’s what you call a comeback…. Well done, Belinda B!”
🎾 Caroline Wozniacki, who has two children of her own, congratulated Bencic in the comments of her Instagram post celebrating the victory:
“Congrats, mama!! ❤️”
🔥 Taylor Townsend, another mother competing on the WTA Tour, shared her excitement:
“This is the best!! Congratulations, my girl ❤️🔥🏆”
👏 Other WTA stars, including Marta Kostyuk, Barbora Strycova, Daniela Hantuchova, Shelby Rogers, and fellow Swiss talent Celine Naef, also sent their congratulations.
🔥 What’s Next for Bencic? Can She Keep the Momentum Going?
With her first title of the season secured, Bencic is now poised to make an even bigger impact in 2025.
🔹 Her next challenge? Continuing her strong run in upcoming WTA 1000 events.
🔹 Could she be a dark horse contender at Roland Garros and Wimbledon? Her form suggests she’s ready to compete with the best.
🔹 The Swiss star is now a serious threat on tour again, proving that motherhood won’t slow her down.
Bencic’s historic victory is a testament to her determination, skill, and the growing trend of successful tennis comebacks post-motherhood.
Can she carry this momentum into the rest of the season? The tennis world will be watching closely.