Aryna Sabalenka praises Belinda Bencic’s inspiring comeback: “It’s amazing, she deserved that”
WTASunday, 09 February 2025 at 21:00
Aryna Sabalenka was impressed by Belinda Bencic’s title at the Abu Dhabi Open, just months after becoming a mother. The former world No. 4 secured her first title of the year after playing only a handful of tournaments.
Bencic had been a prominent name on the Tour for years—not only as a former top-5 player but also as the gold medallist at the 2021 Olympic Games. There were doubts about whether she would regain her level after returning from maternity leave, but she has been inspiring with an 11-2 record at the start of the season.
At the WTA 500 Abu Dhabi, she faced tough opponents, including former Wimbledon champions Marketa Vondrousova (2023) and Elena Rybakina (2022). Additionally, a double bagel against Veronika Kudermetova was a strong statement that Bencic is serious about 2025.
Who better than current world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka to assess Bencic’s impressive level after she reclaimed the title she had won in 2023 before becoming a mother? Sabalenka took note of Bencic’s performance and praised her colleague’s remarkable comeback.
"That's impressive, honestly," the three-time Grand Slam champion said. "She just came back, had a great run at the Australian Open [to the fourth round], and now she's holding the trophy. It's amazing, I'm super happy for her, she definitely deserved that."
"As she said, she worked really hard for that, and it's good to see. It gives us hope that probably, whenever we all decide to have babies, we’ll have a chance to come back if we want to," she added.
Bencic defeated the in-form 20-year-old Ashlyn Krueger in the final, showcasing her far greater experience in these situations. The Swiss player climbed more than 90 spots in the rankings after the title and is now set to be world No. 65 as of Monday. Just a month ago, she wasn’t even in the top 400.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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