“I have to say I basically won in life” – Bencic feeling grateful and blessed
Belinda Bencic, who returned to the winner’s circle this weekend by winning the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open – her first title since becoming a mother last year, has said that she feels grateful and blessed to be able to continue doing what she loves. Bencic beat top seed Elena Rybakina and former Wimbledon champion Marketa … Continued
Belinda Bencic, Australian Open 2025
Image Credit: Zuma / Psnewz
Belinda Bencic, who returned to the winner’s circle this weekend by winning the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open – her first title since becoming a mother last year, has said that she feels grateful and blessed to be able to continue doing what she loves.
Bencic beat top seed Elena Rybakina and former Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova en route to the final where she defeated American Ashlyn Krueger 4-6, 6-1, 6-1 to wrap up the title as her husband and her 10-month old daughter watches from the stands.
“It’s tough to describe into words,” Bencic said as quoted by the WTA Tour. “I think only us know what we went through as a family. We are so appreciative and blessed to have Bella in our lives. And then also to be able to still do what I want to do. And then also, like, having the good results on top of that. So the emotions were about feeling incredibly grateful, blessed. And just a mini dream come true.”
“I have high expectations of myself and I have dreams and goals” – Bencic
Bencic said she still has high expectations and ambitions but added that her maternity break gave her some distance from the sport and has allowed her to play with less pressure on herself.
“I have high expectations of myself and I have dreams and goals,” Bencic said. “But I have to say I basically won in life. I’m here in tournaments and it feels much more relaxed. It feels like I can play a little bit more clear and with less pressure on myself. I feel like I was always the one standing a little bit in the way of trying to do too well. So right now, I’m really working and I still feel like I can reach more things.
“It was nice to see the game in a more neutral way. I was able to kind of rationally see the tennis a little bit from a different side, more like a spectator and more like seeing the game. I was always so into it, like, ‘Oh my God, this player is going to beat this player and pass me in the ranking.’ I was always emotionally involved.”
