Belinda Bencic is back—and she’s making history! In just her fourth tournament since returning from maternity leave, the Swiss star clinched the WTA 500 title at the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open, marking a significant milestone in her career as a new mom.
The Olympic gold medalist fought back from a set down to defeat rising American Ashlyn Krueger 4-6, 6-1, 6-1 in Saturday’s final, securing her ninth career title and her second in Abu Dhabi. With this win, Bencic becomes the first mother to claim a title of this magnitude since Victoria Azarenka’s WTA 1000 victory in 2020.
A Remarkable Comeback Journey
Bencic’s journey back to the top has been nothing short of inspiring. After giving birth to her daughter Bella in April 2023, she returned to competitive tennis in late October, gradually working her way back onto the tour. Her Grand Slam comeback at the Australian Open saw her reach the fourth round before falling to Coco Gauff in a hard-fought three-setter.
But in Abu Dhabi, she went a step further. On her way to the title, Bencic defeated two former Top 10 players—Veronika Kudermetova and Marketa Vondrousova—before stunning top seed Elena Rybakina in the semifinals. Her victory over the world No. 5 was her first Top 10 win since becoming a mother.
Dominance in Abu Dhabi
Bencic seems to have a special connection with Abu Dhabi, where she remains undefeated. Her latest triumph adds to her previous title win at the tournament two years ago.
In the final, the 27-year-old showed resilience after dropping the first set. She initially led twice with a break but couldn’t hold off Krueger’s charge. However, once she found her rhythm, there was no stopping her—dropping just two games in the final two sets and sealing the victory after 2 hours and 21 minutes.
Climbing the Rankings
Her success in Abu Dhabi comes with a significant ranking boost. Unranked just months ago, Bencic entered the tournament at No. 157 and is now projected to jump back into the Top 100, landing around No. 65. Krueger, too, continues her rise, moving into the Top 40.
What’s Next for Bencic?
With her confidence soaring, Bencic will skip the upcoming event in Doha and head straight to Dubai for her next challenge. If her performance in Abu Dhabi is any indication, she’s well on her way to reclaiming her spot among the best in women’s tennis.
For Bencic, this victory is more than just another title—it’s a testament to resilience, determination, and the power of a mother’s comeback story.
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