Belinda Bencic Redefines Comeback with Inspiring Return to Tennis After Motherhood

In a remarkable turn of events, Olympic gold medalist Belinda Bencic is making waves on the tennis circuit following her recent return to the WTA Tour after a significant career break to embrace motherhood. The Swiss player, who welcomed her first child, Bella, in April 2024, has defied expectations with her swift journey back to competitive tennis. During a warm-up event in Adelaide, where she secured a convincing victory over world No. 14 Anna Kalinskaya, Bencic expressed her disbelief at being back in action, a sentiment echoed throughout her early matches. Just a week later, she stunned the tennis world by defeating No. 16 seed Jelena Ostapenko in a fiercely contested match at the Australian Open, marking her first Grand Slam appearance since 2023. Bencic, currently ranked No. 421, is clearly finding her footing once again on the court. Bencic’s journey back to tennis is not merely a return from injury; it marks a significant moment in the sport as more women are embracing motherhood without ending their careers. "I felt really inspired and brave enough to have a baby mid-career because a lot of other athletes and tennis players have done it before," she stated in a recent interview, underscoring a growing trend of athletes balancing family life with their professional pursuits. Historically, the narrative surrounding motherhood in professional sports has been one of sacrifice, where players often felt compelled to choose between having children and continuing their careers. However, figures like Serena Williams have sparked a cultural shift, exemplifying that it is indeed possible to return to elite sport after childbirth. Williams famously won the Australian Open while eight weeks pregnant and subsequently reached multiple Grand Slam finals post-baby, paving the way for others to feel empowered in their decisions. Bencic follows in these footsteps, feeling encouraged by the successes of athletes like Victoria Azarenka and Naomi Osaka, both of whom returned to high-level competition after becoming mothers. The WTA has also made changes that reflect this transformation, allowing players returning from maternity leave to use their pre-pregnancy rankings for tournament entries and offering protections against facing seeded players in early rounds of their comebacks. However, there are still gaps, such as the absence of a standard maternity pay policy, which has drawn criticism from players advocating for more comprehensive support for mothers on tour. Bencic's comeback has required not just physical adjustments, but also logistical planning. Managing life on the tour with a newborn presents unique challenges, and she has relied on her partner, Martin Hromkovic, who also serves as her physical trainer, to help navigate the demands of motherhood alongside a professional tennis career. The couple has worked to ensure that their daughter remains a part of Bencic's journey, with Hromkovic often seen supporting her on the practice court with Bella close by. Despite the challenges, Bencic is thriving on and off the court. She has noted a shift in her mindset toward tennis, viewing it more as a job than the sole focus of her life. This fresh perspective has allowed her to manage the pressures of competition with greater ease, recognizing that her identity as a mother enriches her experience as an athlete. As Bencic continues to make her mark in the tennis world, she embodies the growing acceptance of motherhood among professional athletes. Her story is a testament to the evolving landscape of women's sports, where balancing family and career is becoming increasingly normalized. As she navigates this new chapter, Bencic not only inspires other athletes but also contributes to a broader conversation about the possibilities for women in sports today.