"I never doubted that she could recover from pregnancy": Iga Swiatek praises resilient Belinda Bencic ahead of semifinal clash

Wednesday, 09 July 2025 at 22:30

Iga Swiatek heaped praise on her upcoming opponent, Belinda Bencic, after the Swiss reached the Wimbledon semifinals just six months after returning to the courts following her maternity break. The former Tokyo 2020 gold medalist is preparing for her second appearance in a Grand Slam semifinal.

It will be a high-voltage clash with the five-time Grand Slam champion Swiatek as the favorite. She defeated the tough Liudmila Samsonova (19th seed) in a display of resilience, reaching the Wimbledon semifinals for the first time in her career.

Read also

Wimbledon has probably been the most elusive Grand Slam for Swiatek, being the only one where she hadn't reached at least the semifinals until now. Her best appearance before this year was in 2023, reaching the quarterfinals and falling to Ukraine's Elina Svitolina – another player who also made her return to the courts after maternity.

"I still believe that in 2023 I had a very good tournament here. I played well, but I didn't manage to go further," Swiatek mentioned, recalling her previous best performance. "This year I feel like I've evolved as a player, I've trained well. My confidence has increased match by match. Emotions? I'm happy with what I did and proud of myself.”

Read also

She will have an unexpected opponent in front of her: World No. 35 Belinda Bencic. There are few doubts about the level a player like Bencic can display, with extensive experience on Tour and a former career-high ranking of World No. 4. However, after her maternity break, few would have predicted her in the semifinals. Nevertheless, she earned a more than deserved spot among the final four, leaving behind rivals like Ekaterina Alexandrova (18th) and Mirra Andreeva (7th).

"I respect her a lot. I can't even imagine how difficult it was to recover from pregnancy," the Pole commented. "We trained together at the United Cup this year. She's got her rhythm back. She has a game that can win on grass. I never doubted that she can come back after pregnancy. She seems like she's in a good mood and she's playing well."

Read also

Swiatek and Bencic will face each other this Thursday to determine who will play in the tournament final. The Pole has won three of their four previous encounters, including their last match at Wimbledon 2023, where she survived a tight battle 6-7(4), 7-6, 6-3.

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.

See author's posts

claps 0visitors 0

Emma Raducanu's coaching puzzle continues as Petchey confirms no long-term deal

Carlos Alcaraz first to qualify for ATP Finals 2025 after Wimbledon semifinals