“It was a big dream for me to come back and play in front of (Bella) and to win the tournament,“ Belinda Bencic said after clinching the second Abu Dhabi Open title in her career. The Swiss tennis star gave birth to her daughter, Bella, on April 23, 2024. She was out of action for quite a while due to that, but she came back to the competitive court in October last year. She took part in some of the low-level tournaments before trying her luck at the bigger events. Bencic has already secured quite a few big wins in the 2025 season, but her title triumph in Abu Dhabi was the biggest among all of them! What’s the biggest change that the experts have noticed in her game since her return, though?

Belinda Bencic’s ten-month-old daughter witnessed her mother’s historic feat with her father, Martin Hromkovic from the stands. Throughout that tournament, we saw the Swiss looking quite calm and composed off the court. Interestingly, even on the morning of her SF match against Elena Rybakina, she took her daughter to the aquarium to spend a lovely family time. Even before the final match against America’s Ashlyn Krueger, we saw Bencic in all smiles seeing Bella playing on the floor right in front of her during her warm-up sessions.

Highlighting his calm and composed demeanor, we heard Belinda Bencic say, “I have to say I basically won in life. I’m here in tournaments and it feels much more relaxed. It feels like I can play a little bit more clear and with less pressure on myself. I feel like I was always the one standing a little bit in the way of trying to do too well. So right now, I’m really working and I still feel like I can reach more things. But even if not then.” Speaking on a similar line, recently, the former British tennis player, Mark Petchey shared a few thoughts on how family life has helped Belinda Bencic bring a different aspect to her game.

During the recent episode of The Inside-In Tennis Podcast, Petchey was asked to reflect on the biggest difference he has noticed in Belinda Bencic’s game after motherhood. Speaking on that, Mark Petchey started it by saying, “You what the thing with Belinda is that obviously, she’s kind of a high-risk player. She’s obviously somebody that loves to take the ball down the line and hit it pretty flat.” He did a complete analysis of her game and then further added, “I mean one of the biggest differences to me is that she looks so much calmer.“

Even Belinda Bencic’s coach, Iain Hughes had recently highlighted how playing with less pressure has been a priority for them as a team since her return to competitive tennis. Adding more on Bencic’s calm demeanor, Mark Petchey said, “She looks as though, you know there is another world out there. I’ve got my daughter Bella. I’m happily married. Life is good. But there’s also like just this bigger part of my life. And therefore the tennis side of things. Although significant and hugely rewarding, just isn’t quite the be-all and end all the life and death situation that’s seemed to her at the start.“

Belinda Bencic has played three tournaments so far this season and currently, her win-loss record is 10-3. Her 4-6,6-1,6-1 over Ashlyn Krueger pushed her up 92 places in the world rankings to 65. What was Belinda Bencic’s reactions to this emphatic victory?

“It’s tough to describe into words” – Belinda Bencic reaction after clinching her second Abu Dhabi Open title

Belinda Bencic’s win in Abu Dhabi marked the biggest title won by a mother on the WTA Tour since Victoria Azarenka’s astonishing feat at the 2020 Cincinnati Open. Shortly after this victory, we saw Belinda Bencic posing for the cameras kissing her daughter, Bella. While reflecting on this memorable moment, Belinda Bencic said, “It’s tough to describe in words. I think only us know what we went through as a family. We are so appreciative and blessed to have Bella in our lives. And then also to be able to still do what I want to do. And then also, like, having the good results on top of that. So the emotions were about feeling incredibly grateful, blessed. And just a mini dream come true.“

Even her husband, Martin Hromkovic who is also her conditioning coach, got a bit emotional after the match. He broke down in tears while holding their daughter, Bella in his arms during Bencic’s victory speech. Even her opponent in the final Ashlyn Krueger heaped praise on Bencic for her incredible performance. Krueger said, “It’s so impressive, you coming back, being a mother. It’s really inspirational.” Belinda Bencic’s goal for this season is to “continue improving” her ranking and stay healthy.

However, this 27-year-old tennis player’s incredible comeback has already started to inspire her peers. One among them is Aryna Sabalenka! Just a few days ago, Aryna Sabalenka was seen sharing her thoughts on Belinda Bencic’s “impressive” title triumph in Abu Dhabi. What are your thoughts on Belinda Bencic’s performance in the 2025 season so far, though?