No One Wants to Lose to a Young Player – Belinda Bencic Opens Up on WTA’s Growing Competition

Belinda Bencic, the right-handed Swiss tennis ace, became the youngest US Open quarterfinalist since 1994 in 2014. She defeated former World No.1, Angelique Kerber, in the third round and Jelena Jankovic in the fourth round.

Five years later, she thrashed the four times Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka in her run to the semifinals of the 2019 US Open. This victory was of a huge importance because Osaka was the defending champion and top seed of the tournament.

With such (and many more at the Summer Olympics) accomplishments under her belt, it won’t be wrong to say that Bencic dragged some mega players to dust in her early days.

However, at this point in her career, she also understands that the taste of defeat against young blood is much sour than any other kind. The 2021 Tokyo Olympic gold medalist discussed the same recently in an interview with the Tennis Channel.

Belinda Bencic is feeling the heat

While speaking with Kamau Murray, Belinda pointed out how young players with high potential make even the most experienced ones nervous. She said, “No one wants to lose to a young player. I knew it when I was a younger player, but now I feel I am not the younger player. And young ones are coming up and now I am in a situation which is the worst one I would say.”

Belinda, after losing her ticket to the finals in Miami against Naomi Osaka gave a kick start to the clay court season. The Swiss claimed the title at the first clay based event of this year. She outclassed the Tunisian fourth-seed Ons Jabeur 6-1 5-7 6-4 in two hours and 35 minutes at Charleston Open.

Read More: Belinda Bencic Shares Bloody Images of Socks After Title Victory at Charleston

Though not much later, Jabeur avenged her defeat at Madrid Open’s fourth round. Following that, Bencic tested her luck at the Italian Open and unfortunately packed her bags in the second round itself.

However, now it appears that she is gearing up for the upcoming Grand Slam.

Who ss Bencic’s ideal mixed doubles partner?

When Murray asked the 25-year-old who would she chose if masters 1000 events started hosting mixed doubles except for the big three. She said, “I was playing a couple of times with Polasek and he is a great doubles player. So probably I would choose him. I mean singles players, let’s see. Isner, I would take Isner because finally I would have good serve on my side.”

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Bencic had a run till the third round in 2019 French Open, which is the farthest since her debut in 2012. Will she be able to further her reach in this year’s Roland Garros?