The 2025 Australian Open will feature several exciting storylines, with WTA Belinda Bencic scheduled to make her return to Grand Slam tennis following the birth of her first child.
The Swiss star has not appeared at a Grand Slam event since the 2023 US Open, with her last match on tour being at the San Diego Open in September 2023. Bencic last competed in Melbourne at the 2023 edition, where she lost to eventual champion Aryna Sabalenka in the round of 16.
After giving birth to her daughter Bella earlier this year, the former World No.4 began making preparations to return to the tour. Bencic's biggest victory came at the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2021, where she won the gold medal in the singles event.
While not at the form that saw her capture Olympic gold, the 27-year old stated she was eager to return to competition as a mother.
"I’m not yet at the absolute peak of my tennis and fitness level, but I feel really good and ready to compete,” Bencic said back in October. “I want to test myself in a competitive setting to see what we need to work on to start the next season in top form. We also want to see how we can logistically manage everyday life at the tournament with Bella."
Feeling 🩵 pic.twitter.com/MLgMPp8SGO
— Belinda Bencic (@BelindaBencic) December 5, 2024