Belinda Bencic has led Switzerland to an opening victory at the United Cup in Sydney after her maternity leave. The 2021 Olympic champion is playing her first major tournament since the birth of her daughter Bella.
Tokyo Olympics champion Belinda Bencic led Switzerland to their opening victory at the United Cup in Sydney after her maternity leave. The 27-year-old, who is playing her first major tournament since the birth of her daughter Bella in April, won her singles match against France against Chloe Paquet (6-3, 6-1) and the mixed with Dominic Stricker (6-1, 7-6). Overall, Switzerland won 2-1.
Bencic tested her form in a few smaller tournaments and in the Billie Jean King Cup in November, but next year she wants to go on the offensive again. Just how far she has already come will become clear on Sunday in the second match of the Nations Cup in Australia. She could face the world number four, Jasmine Paolini, in the match against Italy.
Bencic is in Australia with her daughter, her mother Dana and her partner and fitness trainer Martin Hromkovic. “I’m definitely improving every day,” she said in Sydney. “It’s very motivating for me to see progress. I think my tennis is there. It’s like riding a bike, I don’t think you lose that.”
