breaking: Belinda Bencic powers back after maternity, sealing titles and a Wimbledon push
Belinda Bencic first broke into the global rankings in 2016, debuting in the WTA top 10 at age 18 and becoming the youngest player in the tier since a 2009 rival. Her ascent marked a notable breakthrough for a teenager maturing into a consistent contender.
Five years later, she captured Olympic gold at the Tokyo Games by defeating Marketa Vondrousova in the final, her first major title and a defining moment in her career.
her momentum paused due to pregnancy, which kept her from defending olympic glory in Paris. She still collected several WTA titles across 2022 and 2023 before stepping away for maternity.
Returning from her maternity break in October 2024,she started with a ranking of 1,213 worldwide,underscoring the long road back to the sport’s highest peaks.
In under four months, she advanced to the Australian Open’s fourth round and then captured the Abu Dhabi Open, celebrating the win with Bella in one arm and the trophy in the other.
Her Wimbledon campaign in July elevated her back into the world’s top 20, even as she fell to eventual champion Iga Swiatek in the semifinals. She added a second title of the year at October’s Pan Pacific Open, further reaffirming her return to form.
During Wimbledon, she emphasized a family-first mindset, saying she regards motherhood as the primary identity, with tennis as a close follow-up.
Milestones of the comeback
| Period | Event | Result/Note |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | WTA Top 10 debut | At 18, the youngest in the top tier since 2009 |
| 2021 | Tokyo Olympics | Gold medal, defeated marketa Vondrousova |
| 2022–2023 | Tour titles | Several titles on the WTA circuit |
| 2024 Oct | Return from maternity | Ranked 1,213 in the world |
| Late 2024 – Early 2025 | Australian Open & Abu Dhabi Open | Fourth round in AO; won Abu Dhabi Open with Bella in arm |
| 2024 July | Wimbledon | Semifinalist, defeated by Iga Swiatek |
| 2024 Oct | Pan Pacific Open | Second title of the year |
Evergreen takeaways
The comeback centers on resilience, family support, and long-term readiness. Bencic’s journey demonstrates that motherhood can coexist with elite competition and that athletes can recalibrate goals while maintaining competitiveness. Her path offers lessons in mental fortitude, readiness, and the value of a supportive environment for athletes returning from maternity leave.
Two questions for readers:
1) Which elements of a high-profile athlete’s return after childbirth resonate most with you?
2) Which comeback story inspires you to pursue your own goals, regardless of obstacles?
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