"There are always bittersweet emotions if you lose in the final" Belinda Bencic crowned MVP as she secures long-awaited top-10 return

Team Switzerland suffered a painful defeat in the United Cup final against Poland, following an extraordinary campaign led by Belinda Bencic. The former Tokyo 2020 Olympic gold medallist won all four of her singles matches and all four mixed doubles encounters she played alongside Jakub Paul on the road to the final.

The Swiss team’s impressive run was further highlighted by the presence of Stan Wawrinka, who acted both as the team’s No. 1 singles player and as captain. The 40-year-old is currently in his farewell season, and the Swiss camp viewed the United Cup as a genuine opportunity for Wawrinka to add one more title before his definitive retirement from professional tennis.

Bencic opened the final with a remarkable three-set victory over Iga Swiatek (her fifth singles victory so far), bringing Switzerland within touching distance of an epic achievement. In the second singles match, Wawrinka took a set advantage against Hubert Hurkacz, but the Pole recovered to turn the match around and force a deciding mixed doubles encounter. There, Kawa and Zielinski proved too strong for Bencic and Paul, leaving Switzerland empty-handed.

Following the defeat in the final, captain Wawrinka was the first to speak during the post-match press conference, expressing his gratitude to Bencic for a campaign that saw Switzerland come within inches of lifting the trophy. “She’s been leading this team since day one and she’s been amazing on the court and also off the court.”

“We all agree in this team that we would like to thank you, Belinda, for everything you’re doing,” the three-time Grand Slam champion said. “To help us become better tennis players and also better people outside the court. I know how difficult it is, but you showed us again today how big a champion you are. So thank you very much.”

Despite the loss, Bencic did not leave the tournament empty-handed. The Swiss player recorded five consecutive singles victories — two of them against top-10 opponents — securing her return to the top 10 for the first time in two years, and for the first time since pausing her career due to pregnancy back in 2024. The 28-year-old was also named the tournament’s MVP by the organisers and drew positive conclusions despite the final defeat.

“I think in the end there are always bittersweet emotions if you lose in the final. But I think we did the best we could and we went beyond our expectations,” the former world No. 4 said. “And thanks so much for the nice words — it really means so much, especially coming from you (Wawrinka), because I think you’re the real champion and we are learning so much from you.”

For Bencic, the victory over Swiatek represented a form of revenge, following her heavy semi-final loss at Wimbledon 2025, where she managed to win just two games and exited the tournament in under an hour — in what was only her second Grand Slam semi-final appearance.

“Against Iga it’s always a challenge. I lost the last few times, sometimes very closely. I always feel I have to challenge myself and do things better,” the Olympic singles gold medallist added. “I did that today — I played freely, attacked, and stayed aggressive. Everyone helped me stay disciplined in the crucial moments, and that’s how I got over the line.”

After defeating the six-time Grand Slam champion and enjoying a strong start to the season, Bencic admits she will arrive at the Australian Open full of confidence. “I’m always serious at the Australian Open. It’s been a huge confidence boost playing good matches here,” she said. “Now I have some days to rest and prepare for the new conditions. We have a bit more time and I’m super excited to play the first Slam. I’m always focused on the first round — it’s a new tournament and a new focus.”