Belinda Bencic of Switzerland holds her daughter after victory against Ashlyn Krueger of the United … [+]
Tokyo Olympics gold medalist Belinda Bencic won the WTA 500 title in Abu Dhabi on Saturday, less than 10 months after giving birth to her daughter Bella.
Switzerland’s Bencic fought from a set down to beat American Ashlyn Krueger 4-6, 6-1, 6-1 in the final of the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open. It was Bencic’s only fourth tour-level event since her return from maternity leave in October 2024 and her first title win since becoming a mother.
Her 10-month-old daughter Bella was at the match and Bencic held her in her arms during the trophy presentation.
“It’s been a while,” Bencic said while addressing the crowd at Zayed Sports City International Tennis Centre. “I am super happy to be back here in Abu Dhabi. I didn’t imagine this. I am also getting a little bit emotional,” she added, according to the BBC.
“I was working really hard to even play, coming back. So to also win a title in front of my family, it’s really special.
“To my husband and my daughter Bella, I love you so much. It was a big dream for me to come back and play in front of her and to win a tournament.”
Krueger, the world No. 51, fired 21 winners in the opening set to take control of the match before Bencic bounced back in the second set with only three unforced errors.
In the title decider, Bencic broke early for a 2-0 lead before breaking again to go 5-1 up. She then fired her 30th winner to clinch the title, wrapping up the contest in two hours and 23 minutes.
With the title triumph, Bencic became the first mother to claim a WTA singles title since Elina Svitolina won in Strasbourg in May 2023.
“Obviously big emotions, of course,” Bencic said, according to the WTA website. “It was a tough final, I feel like I needed to put [on] my turbo in the second and third set. It was a really special moment, seeing Bella there in the third set.”
Bencic’s Comeback From Maternity Leave
After giving birth in April 2024, Bencic returned to the Tour in October, competing at a WTA 125 event, an ITF Challenger and Billie Jean King Cup Playoffs. She then made her WTA-level comeback at United Cup early this year.
Bencic, the former world No. 4, played a tune-up event in Adelaide before competing at the Australian Open, her first Grand Slam event since the 2023 U.S. Open. She reached the round of 16 at the hardcourt major, losing to Coco Gauff in three sets.
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 19: Coco Gauff (R) of the United States shakes hands with Belinda … [+]
The 2025 Abu Dhabi title is Bencic’s ninth career WTA singles title and her first since she won the same tournament in 2023. The 27-year-old has a 10-3 tour-level record so far this year.
According to the WTA, Bencic (currently world No. 157) is the third-lowest-ranked player to win a WTA 500 title since the tournament tier was created.
Only Alexandra Dulgheru (won 2009 Warsaw ranked No. 201) and Serena Williams (won 2011 Stanford ranked No. 169) are lower-ranked WTA 500 titlists.
Bencic will move up to the 65th spot when the next WTA rankings are updated.
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