Belinda Bencic Re-enters Top 10 After Maternity Break

Morgan Winslow

ago 2 hours

Belinda Bencic Re-enters Top 10 After Maternity Break

Belinda Bencic has made a remarkable return to tennis, re-entering the top 10 of the WTA singles rankings after taking a maternity break. Her journey began when she first debuted in the top 10 in 2016, becoming the first teenager in this elite group since Caroline Wozniacki in 2009.

From Gold Medalist to Maternity Leave

Bencic’s career highlights include winning her first significant title at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, where she claimed the gold medal by defeating Marketa Vondrousova. After capturing multiple WTA Tour titles in 2022 and 2023, she faced a significant life change with her pregnancy, which resulted in her missing the opportunity to defend her Olympic gold medal in Paris.

A Triumphant Return

Upon returning to competitive tennis in October 2024, Bencic found herself ranked 1,213th in the world. However, her determination propelled her back up the rankings within a few months. She reached the fourth round of the Australian Open and secured a victory at the Abu Dhabi Open, celebrating the win with her daughter Bella and the trophy in hand.

Climbing the Rankings

In July 2025, her impressive performance at Wimbledon saw her reach the semi-finals, where she faced off against the eventual champion Iga Swiatek. This run helped Bencic ascend back into the top 20 of the world rankings.

Debuted in Top 10: 2016
First Olympic Title: Gold medal at Tokyo 2021
Returned from Maternity Leave: October 2024
World Ranking After Break: 1,213th
Fourth Round: Australian Open 2025
Wimbledon Semi-Final: July 2025

During the Wimbledon tournament, Bencic expressed her feelings about balancing motherhood and her tennis career, stating, “I see myself as a mum first, and then a tennis player. My priorities are clearly with my family.”