Swiss powerhouse Belinda Bencic, the 27-year-old Olympic gold medalist from 2020, has stormed through the competition at the Abu Dhabi Open, securing her spot in the championship match. It’s a familiar stage for the Swiss, who triumphed in Abu Dhabi in 2023 as well. Ranked as low as 1,213 in the world a few months ago, her remarkable run guarantees a return to the top 100 now. But what could be a hidden factor behind her resurgence after a disappointing AO? A special presence might have played a role in her inspiring comeback! Do you know who that is?

The former US Open semi-finalist Bencic stepped away from the tour in September 2023 after competing in the WTA 500 event in San Diego. Then ranked 15th in the world, the former world No. 4 soon revealed the reason behind her break as she was expecting her first child. Almost 7 months later, the tennis world showered her with love on April 24, 2024, when her longtime boyfriend (dating since 2018) and current fitness coach, Martin Hromkovic, shared an adorable picture on Instagram, announcing the birth of their daughter, ‘Bella.’

“Bella, 23.4.2024 – Our love 🩷,” he wrote in the caption. And, now, nearly two years after Bella’s arrival, Bencic has made a stunning comeback, perhaps inspired by the newest and most precious cheerleader in her life from the stands. In the R1 match at the Abu Dhabi Open, Bencic faced off against Slovakian Rebecca Šramková. The Swiss star took the first set convincingly, but the Slovak fought back in style to force a deciding third set. However, Bencic responded with authority in the final, powering through to the third set with a 6-2, 3-6, 6-1 victory.

But the real highlight came off the court! Shortly after her match, Bencic took to Instagram to re-share an adorable photo posted by her boyfriend Martin Hromkovic, capturing a heartwarming moment: little Bella watching her mother in action from a top-tier view. A true inspiration for the Swiss ace from the courtside!

However, this isn’t the first time the little angel has been spotted cheering for her mother from the stands. The mother-daughter pair has cultivated a devoted fan following within the tennis community through their numerous captivating performances. Take, for instance, Belinda’s comeback tournament from maternity leave at the W75 Hamburg last year. Following her initial match against Julia Avdeeva, she was spotted training in the gym, accompanied by her daughter, Bella. She later shared the touching moment on IG, giving fans a glimpse into her journey as a mother on WTA tours. Bencic also discussed the joys and difficulties of traveling with Bella, highlighting the delicate balance between her tennis career and motherhood. 

“We have cherished every second with Bella. She is a very happy baby. She lets me sleep at night and comes with us to the court or during training. This way, I can fully focus on my discipline. At home, we’ve managed to find our rhythm. Now, it’s about adjusting that to the ATP and WTA schedule. This is the first time she’s flying. I’m not seeking perfection just yet, but I need to see where my weaknesses lie. I had to listen to my body and take it easy,” Bencic said.

With her daughter accompanying her in Abu Dhabi, the Swiss star would surely love to have her little cheerleader in the stands again today, as she sets her sights on the title.

‘I have a long way to go’ Belinda shared her thoughts after beating top-seed Rybakina

Returning to the court after a long break is never an effortless task! After a 13-month hiatus for maternity, Belinda Bencic had to battle through two qualifying rounds just to earn a main draw spot at the season-opening warmup event at Adelaide International, where she eventually fell in the second round. At the AO, she pushed American Coco Gauff to the brink, even claiming the first set, before bowing out eventually.

But in Abu Dhabi, the tide has turned! The Swiss has been unstoppable, storming through the draw with dominant wins over Šramková, Veronika Kudermetova, and Markéta Vondroušová. Then came a thrilling SF clash against top seed Elena Rybakina, a showdown between the tournament’s last two champions. The Kazakh struck first, taking the opening set, but Bencic roared back, winning the next two in commanding fashion to book her place in the final. And, right after the match, she opened up about her form on the tour.

“I’m so happy this is happening, for sure. I worked really hard to come back. It was definitely not an easy road, and I’m so excited that the results are coming so fast. It still doesn’t mean that the work is over, so I have a long way to go, but I’m really happy how it’s working on the court. And yeah, I’m really enjoying myself on the court,” the Swiss remarked.

Belinda will face unseeded American player Ashlyn Krueger in today’s final match. Do you think she will be able to replicate her 2023 feat? Share your thoughts in the comments below.