Olympic champion, Swiss Miss, Federer: Everything you always wanted to know about Belinda Bencic (but never had time to find out) – updated with win on comeback in October 2024
Belinda Bencic has followed in the footsteps of Martina Hingis to become one of Switzerland’s best players of all-time. She’s also great friends with Roger Federer. Here’s everything you need to know the Swiss woman
Belinda Bencic US Open – Imago / Panoramic
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Who is Belinda Bencic?
Belinda Bencic is a professional tennis player from Switzerland. She won Olympic gold at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and has been ranked as high as No 4.
When did Belinda Bencic return to the tour?
Bencic has said that she plans to return in time for the Swiss Billie Jean King Cup tie in mid-November. The Swiss has not played on the tour since September 2023 and gave birth to her first child in April this year.
Before the team event, Bencic has appeared at the Hamburg Ladies Cup 2024 (an ITF W75 event) as a wildcard to shake off the rust. She beat Julia Adveeva 6-3, 6-1 in her competitive match in 14 months as she gears up for her full comeback to tour life following maternity leave.
What did Belinda Bencic do at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021?
Belinda Bencic became the Olympic champion as she won the singles title in Tokyo, 2021. Her win over Marketa Vondrousova in the final made her only the second Swiss player to win Olympic gold in singles, following Marc Rosset in 1992.
Where was Belinda Bencic born?
Belinda Bencic was born in Flawil, Switzerland. She currently resides in Wollerau, Switzerland. She is of Slovak and Swiss heritage.
What is Bencic’s game style?
The Swiss is known for her ability to smother opponents by hugging the baseline and taking the ball early. She hits open stance forehands and backhands and has perfected the swinging drive volley. Over the years she has improved her strength and fitness so that she can play this style even better.
Who was Bencic’s first coach?
Bencic started working with Melanie Molitor, the mother of Swiss legend Martina Hingis, when she was three years old, and continued working with her until she was 19. From the age of six, she started daily training with Molitor, which lasted for a period of eight years.
Bencic also worked with Dmitry Tursunov and is currently coached by Matej Liptak.
What did Bencic accomplish as a teenager?
Bencic stormed to the quarterfinals at the US Open as a 17-year-old. During the run, she recorded the first two top 10 victories of her career over No 7 Angelique Kerber and No 10 Jelena Jankovic to become the youngest quarter-finalist at the US Open since Martina Hingis in 1997.
How many titles has Bencic won?
Eight, as of September 18, 2024. She won Eastbourne and her biggest title at Toronto, where she defeated Serena Williams in the final, in 2015. In 2019 she won another big title in Dubai and also Moscow. In 2022, she also became the Charleston champion. In 2023, she added two more, in Adelaide and Abu Dhabi. Bencic has played in a total of 16 WTA finals.
What was Bencic’s biggest win?
This is a tough question. Bencic owns four wins over reigning No 1-ranked players, including three over Naomi Osaka, one of which came at the round of 16 at the 2019 US Open. But we’ll pick Bencic’s 3-6 7-5 6-4 victory over then No 1 Serena Williams in the 2015 Rogers Cup final.
Does Bencic get along with Roger Federer?
Bencic idolises Swiss legend Roger Federer, but she does more than that. She’s also a good friend, confidante and teammate of the Swiss Maestro. Bencic and Federer teamed up to become the first duo to repeat as Hopman Cup champions in the event’s 31-year history in 2019.
Who is Bencic dating?
The Swiss has been dating her fitness trainer Martin Hromkovic since 2019. In November 2023, Bencic announced that she was pregnant, marking the start of her maternity leave from tennis.
In April 2024, Bencic and Hromkovic announced the birth of their first child – a daughter named Bella.
What is Bencic’s career-high ranking?
Bencic topped out at No 4 in the world in February 2020.
Who was Bencic’s idol growing up?
Bencic, like so many, idolises Roger Federer.
Roger is so easy-going. He always has everything under control, which I saw first hand at the Hopman Cup,” Bencic said.
