Bencic: "When I step onto the court, whether as a mother, daughter, or wife, I just focus on being a tennis player and athlete"

Andrés Tomás Rico | 3 Feb 2026 | 17.34

Bencic: "When I step onto the court, it doesn't matter if I'm a mother, daughter, or wife, I just focus on being a tennis player and athlete." Photo: Gettyimages

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A hopeful start and an unexpected defeat, that has been the first month of 2026 for Belinda Bencic. The Swiss landed in Australia, showcased her best version in the United Cup without losing any individual matches and eliminating Solana Sierra, Elise Mertens, and Iga Swiatek. Despite Switzerland losing the final, the 28-year-old tennis player returned to the top 10, holding on to the ninth position even after her loss in the second round of the Australian Open.

Her third return to the top 10 would be the most special of all, after achieving it for the first time following her absence to give birth to her daughter in April 2024. A few months later, at the beginning of 2025, she returned to the circuit ranking as number 421, but in February she won the WTA Abu Dhabi, proving that her tennis skills were still intact.

Now she returns to the Middle East as the defending champion and with hopes of showcasing the performance displayed in the United Cup rather than the Australian Open. Speaking about her expectations in Abu Dhabi, the challenges of being a mother in such a competitive circuit, and the frustration caused by defeats, she shared in an interview with The National.

Belinda Bencic explained what it means to return to the Top 10 after becoming a mother

"I don't think we had a big celebration. Of course, after the United Cup, it was nice. But then you go straight to Melbourne for the Australian Open and you have to prepare there and focus on that. But it meant a lot to me."

"Even if it's just a number, it's something you dream about. And I think it's the third time I've returned to the top 10. So yes, I've achieved it a couple of times, but it always feels great."

About her surprising defeat in the Australian Open second round against Nikola Bartunkova

"To be completely honest, it took me more days than usual to overcome the loss. I definitely felt it was very bitter. I felt very good coming from the United Cup and also starting at the Australian Open. And, of course, like perhaps everyone else, I also had high hopes. But my opponent played incredibly well and deserved to win. It's a shame it happened at a Grand Slam. But well, let's move on. I think in tennis, you need to have a short memory and just go to the next tournament and do better."

Preparing to defend her title in Abu Dhabi

"I have the best memories, that's why I love coming back here. I'm super excited to be here again. This is a tournament I love, and of course, having such good memories from last year makes it great to come back and see how fast the year has flown by. I feel like I was here a week ago, and now yes, I'm ready to start."

On expectations and pressure

"It's natural for your expectations to be higher. But it's better to go with the flow and have the same mindset that brought you to where you are. And that's what I'm working on. It's not easy, of course. Sometimes you feel like you should always compare yourself to the best. But sometimes you just have to play and, in a way, win with what you have that day. So I'm working on that mental aspect and trying to maintain the same mindset."

On being one of the few mothers on the WTA tour

"In a way, yes, it should be celebrated because I think it's something that is happening more and more: women are starting to achieve incredible things after giving birth, which is really amazing. But then, when I step on the court, I don't care if I'm a mother, wife, or daughter, I just focus on being a tennis player and athlete. You can have any circumstance or any private situation, and still, you have to perform on the court. I don't care what my opponent does in their private life."

Advice to Ons Jabeur, who is pregnant

"It really depends on how she feels. For every future mom, it will be a completely different experience, so it's not comparable to any other. I just hope she enjoys the time with her baby a lot and doesn't feel the pressure to come back. Simply, accept it as she feels and start slowly, listening to herself. I want to see her back in tournaments, so I wish her all the best," concludes Belinda Bencic, who is aiming for her third title in the WTA Abu Dhabi in the last four years.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Bencic: "Cuando entro en la pista, da igual que sea madre, hija o esposa, solo me concentro en ser tenista y atleta"