The final shot landed, and the crowds erupted in cheers and claps. For Belinda Bencic, it was a rapturous moment of assurance above all else. However, in the stands, the same moment brought everything to a standstill for a certain someone. As Martin Hromkovic – the Swiss star’s husband and fitness coach – held their daughter Bella, his eyes were shining with pride. Four months after returning from maternity leave, Bencic had done what few mothers in tennis had been able to do. She had clinched a WTA 500 title. Her Abu Dhabi triumph wasn’t just about slowly reclaiming her place on tour, but a testament to determination, a battle fought beyond the baseline. As moments unfolded, the weight of her journey was clear, highlighting why this victory was bigger than anything.

The 2020 Tokyo Olympic gold-medalist was off-court for 13 months as she gave birth to her daughter Bella, before returning last October. Upon returning, she clinched a tournament title, becoming the first mother to do so since Elina Svitolina’s win at Strasbourg in May 2023. “I didn’t imagine this. I’m also getting a little emotional. I was working really hard to come back and to win a title in front of my family is really special,” Bencic said. Her victory wasn’t just any personal achievement but an emotional moment for Bencic’s family.

Bencic won the 2025 Abu Dhabi Open with an impressive victory over USA’s Ashlyn Krueger in three straight sets with a score line of 4-6, 6-1, 6-1. The Swiss former No. 4 performed quite well, dominating skilled players like 2022 and 2023 Wimbledon champions Elena Rybakina and Marketa Vondrousova, and World No. 16 Veronika Kudermetova over the course of the tournament.

As the Swiss player sealed off a dream run at the Zayed Sport City International Tennis Center on Saturday, her husband, Martin Hromkovic, a former Slovak defender-turned-fitness coach found himself unable to control his tears. The moment deeply resonated with Bencic’s followers. “Her performance today especially in the third set was just so clean and physically good considering what she’s been through,” said the commentator, adding a chuckle afterward, “and I mean the husband must be sick.” Later, the Tennis Letter’s X page shared it with an adorable caption: “Proud day for this beautiful family,” with a heart emoji.

Bencic, who had also won the Abu Dhabi Open in 2023, thanked her husband for supporting her career, “To my husband and 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 the tournament. This is the first tournament I won twice so this has got to be my favorite tournament.”

In Bencic’s journey, one steadfast support is her husband. The couple started dating in November 2018 and has been vocal about each other support in their life ever since. Although they didn’t officially announce their marriage, Swiss publication 20 Minuten quoted Bencic’s manager, who said, “Belinda and Martin got married in a civil ceremony during her pregnancy. They will have a more formal, official wedding with all the trimmings later this year or next year.” 

The WTA star once also confessed her faith in Hromkovic’s potential as a parent during her interview with Gredig Direkt. “I have complete trust in my husband and my mommy,” said Bencic. Reflecting on her bond with her boyfriend-turned-husband, she said, “I really have a great connection with my boyfriend, he knows how I am on the court and he understands if I’m nervous, too loose or too excited, so he can definitely do a lot from the box as well.”

While the Swiss star’s support system is rock-solid, her return to the tour was anything but easy. However, tennis is a game of perseverance! Even Bencic’s American opponent acknowledged the moment’s significance and dropped a heartwarming message respecting Bencic’s determination and hard work.

Belinda Bencic’s opponent Ashlyn Krueger called the former’s return to tour “impressive”

“It is so impressive you coming back and being a mother, it’s really inspirational, so congrats and good luck,” Krueger said reflecting on Bencic’s achievement. The Swiss player’s official comeback happened last October on the ITF’s World Tennis Tour, where she reached the quarterfinals of W75 Petange 003 and the finals of the WTA 125 Angers. Although she exited the 2025 Adelaide International in R16, her form sharpened when she reached the fourth round of the Melbourne Slam, signaling her growth.

Her journey was slow but steady. During her 2025 United Cup run, the WTA No. 51. said, “Well, I’m definitely improving every day. So that’s very motivating for me to see improvement. I think my tennis is there. I think that’s like riding a bike. I don’t think that you lose that.” 

Beyond tennis, she also reflected on motherhood challenges in her career. “I didn’t expect to be back so early. I have huge respect to all the moms. What women go through, the body change is amazing. We couldn’t be happier at the moment. We’re parents now. Our lives have changed, but definitely for the better. We’re super excited with Bella. She’s here. We survived the flight to Australia.”

Belinda Bencic’s victory is a journey of resilience that proves balancing personal and professional lives is hard but not impossible. Her grit leaves a powerful message for mothers willing to work hard for their dreams. As she forges on, she is proving that with limitless determination, nothing is impossible.