"Jannik is very sweet to her": Belinda Bencic reacts to Sinner playing football with her daughter in Miami

Belinda Bencic’s run at the Miami Open has been accompanied by a moment away from the court that quickly circulated on social media, with Jannik Sinner seen playing football with her daughter Bella. The Swiss addressed the interaction after her latest win, describing it as “so sweet” and noting how the Italian was “very sweet to her,” offering a personal snapshot during an otherwise focused week in Miami.

That reaction came immediately after one of her most complete performances of the tournament, a 6-2, 6-2 victory over sixth seed Amanda Anisimova to reach the quarter-finals. Bencic dominated on serve, landing 87 percent of her first deliveries and winning 72 percent of those points, while applying consistent pressure on return to break multiple times and close the match in just under 80 minutes.

The result extended a clean run through the draw, with earlier wins over Zeynep Sonmez (6-3, 6-2) and 20th seed Diana Shnaider (6-3, 6-3). Within that context, the off-court moment involving Sinner gained additional attention, not only for its timing during a deep tournament run but also for what it revealed about Bencic’s current stage, balancing competition with family life following her return after pregnancy.

Speaking about the video, Bencic emphasised her daughter’s personality, explaining that Bella is “very skeptical at everyone,” which made the exchange stand out. She added that the moment carried meaning beyond the surface, particularly given Sinner’s presence and the setting of a major tournament week.

Bencic expanded on the interaction, describing it as something she appreciated both as a player and as a parent. The Swiss suggested that Bella may only later understand the significance of the moment, while underlining Sinner’s natural approach in the situation.

“Yes, it was so sweet. Jannik is very sweet to her and she’s very skeptical at everyone,” the former world No. 4 said. “I hope later she can realize who was talking to her and I think it’s a very sweet interaction also for me, so it was nice to see.”

The moment has resonated alongside Sinner’s own campaign in Miami. The Italian, the defending champion, has moved into the round of 16 with straight-sets wins over Damir Dzumhur and Corentin Moutet, extending his winning streak to eight matches without dropping a set as he targets the Sunshine Double, last achieved by Novak Djokovic in 2016.

On court, Bencic’s level has been defined by efficiency and control throughout the week. Against Anisimova, she dictated play from the outset, limiting the American’s ability to settle into rallies and maintaining scoreboard pressure across both sets. Her serving numbers and return consistency reflected a performance built on clarity rather than risk, allowing her to progress without facing sustained resistance.

The Swiss now faces fourth seed Coco Gauff in the quarter-finals, in a matchup with recent history. Gauff leads the head-to-head 4-2, and the American won their most recent meeting at the China Open, recovering from a difficult position in a three-set contest. “I’m definitely up for the challenge,” said Bencic after the match. “I’m really excited to challenge her again, and to try to see what I can improve and do better. We’ll see tomorrow, it’s going to be a good match and a good atmosphere.”

The former Olympic gold medallist also pointed to her comfort in Miami conditions, an element that has played a role in her level this week. “I really like the conditions here,” she added. “I was practicing here when I was a teenager, and I just really like playing here. I love the city as well, it’s a good energy and I feel really comfortable.”

A victory over Gauff would carry added significance beyond the tournament itself. Should Bencic progress, she would secure a return to the top 10, overtaking Mirra Andreeva, who exited in the round of 16, marking a key milestone in her comeback trajectory following her return to the tour.