Bencic credits improved fitness for Gauff revenge: “Body is holding up much better, almost like it was before”

Belinda Bencic avenged her Australian Open loss to Coco Gauff at Indian Wells on Wednesday, showcasing better endurance

September 1, 2023, Flushing Meadows, New York, USA: Belinda Bencic during Day 5 of the 2023 US Open held at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on Friday September 1, 2023 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. Belinda Bencic defeats Lin Zhu on Day 5 of the 2023 U.S. Open Tennis.

March 13, 2025

Belinda Bencic got her revenge on Coco Gauff for the Australian Open loss on Wednesday as she defeated the American at the Indian Wells Open to make the quarter-finals, thanks to improved physical fitness.

Gauff had prevailed in the fourth-round clash at Melbourne Park in January with a comeback effort but it was Bencic’s turn to return the favour at Indian Wells. After dropping the opener, the Swiss rose to tighten the screws on her opponent and claimed the following two sets without facing a break point, winning 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.

“I thought it was a really close match,” Bencic said during her post-match presser on Wednesday. “Of course, very happy to be in the quarterfinal and also to be able to improve since my last match against her in Australia.”

Wild Card ➡️ Quarterfinalist #TennisParadise | @BelindaBencic pic.twitter.com/KkiUIGHdTm
— BNP Paribas Open (@BNPPARIBASOPEN) March 12, 2025

Bencic, who’s in her comeback year after maternity leave, showed great endurance to defy Gauff this time, unlike being dominated, in a way, by the American towards the end during their face-off in Australia (lost 5-7, 6-2, 6-1).

“Well, physically, obviously tennis-wise, I still thought it was a great match in Australia,” the Swiss noted further. “I just felt like she outplayed me in a way. You know, it was a very hot day, and I felt like in the end I was out of steam in Australia. Obviously she was playing very good.

“I mean, what changed is that I just kept on working also on the physical side. I felt like in the last matches in tournaments, I kind of was able to play back to back, some three-set matches, and am fresher every time, you know, after the match, like, I’m not as tired or just the body is holding up much better, almost like it was before. So I’m really happy about that. I guess that’s what we were working on.”

I’m close to being my best.”
Belinda Bencic

In the quarter-finals next, Bencic has a battle on her hands because awaiting her is the reigning Australian Open champ, Madison Keys. She has faced Keys four times thus far, with their head-to-head balanced at 2-2.

The 28-year-old is headed into the last-eight match-up with the strong belief that she has regained the pre-pregnancy level of being a top 10 player.

“I’m close to being my best,” Bencic asserted. “I think now I’m not even thinking about anymore that in Australia I said that I’m still testing it out and seeing how my body is reacting to this and that. I definitely feel like now I’m kind of back where I was before, so obviously the work doesn’t stop here. I’m still trying to improve various things in my game and also in my movement and everything.”