New mum Bencic eases back into tennis with a win

Belinda Bencic marked her return to tennis as a new mother with a 6-3, 6-1 opening group win in Sydney at the United Cup mixed-team event over France’s Chloe Paquet.

The Swiss who gave birth this year to daughter Bella pronounced herself glad to be back on the WTA, where she once stood fourth in the world.

The 27-year-old was playing her first Tour-level match since September, 2023, in San Diego before leaving the sport during her pregnancy.

But her enthusiasm has returned as she prepares for the 2025 season. She joins a group of tennis mothers including Naomi Osaka, Victoria Azarenka and Caroline Wozniacki.

“I’ve also talked to a lot of moms on the tour and they were able to give me a lot of tips for sure,” the Swiss said.

“It’s been really inspiring to see many other moms being able to come back, physically, also tennis-wise: they came back to the same level.”

Bencic said the example of others inspired her and her husband – her trainer – as she returns to the sport.

“That supported our decision to have a baby in the middle of my career, because I knew that it’s possible to come back.

“It’s possible to be at the same level, and even to be even better.”

She characterised her tennis as an ingrained habit as she looks ahead with optimism to continuing the return at the Australian Open.

“I’m definitely improving every day, that’s very motivating for me to see improvement. 

“I think my tennis is there. It’s like riding a bike. I don’t think that you lose that.”

Main photo:- New mum Belinda Bencic makes a winning return – by Jimmie48/WTA