Major Talk #3 – Belinda Bencic
Major Talk: a series of interviews conducted by French player Alizé Lim with some of the tour’s brightest stars. Her latest guest is Belinda Bencic, the WTA Tour’s world No 8
One of the most fun characters on the WTA Tour, Belinda Bencic discusses a variety of subjects, from her early days being coached by Martina Hingis’s mother, Melanie Molitor, to her fiery on-court persona and how having a fitness coach for a boyfriend is helping her to stay fit during the Covid-19 lockdown.
The 23-year-old says she is enjoy being at home and is learning to cook better and though she’s missing the competitive side of the WTA Tour, she is trying to stay relaxed until it is safe to resume.
Bencic has tried a number of coaches but says her father, Ivan, is the best person for the job.
“My Dad was there all the time when Melanie coached me…so he learned everything I needed for my game. He doesn’t consider himself as a tennis coach but he’s really the best coach for me. He knows what I need in my game to play good and feel the rhythm of the game. Him being my coach now is the best for me.”
Bencic, who reached a career-high ranking of No 4 in earlier this year, has never been afraid to show her emotions on the court and has been known to break the odd racquet here and there. Her on-court persona, though, is the opposite to how she is away from tennis.
“Generally, I’m a different person on the court and off the court. I’m a nice person off the court. On the court, I’m really almost a psycho.”
As Bratislava eases its lockdown rules, Bencic has been able to play tennis a few times each week but says she is just doing it to stay fit, rather than prepare for any specific event, with the WTA Tour suspended until at least July 13.
“It’s not easy to stay in shape. We’re definitely not working out in a way of preparing for tournaments or doing some tennis specific stuff.
We’re just doing overall fitness to stay in shape and obviously to be able to eat something and general fitness and condition. I really feel better when I’m doing something. It’s super-important in these times even when you’re home to get up and have a routine otherwise you’re gonna change out of your pyjamas at 3pm and then it’s not great.”
