“Belinda Bencic: From Swiss Prodigy to Olympic Champion”

Early Beginnings and Prodigious Talent

Belinda Bencic, born on 10 March 1997 in Flawil, Switzerland, emerged as a tennis prodigy at a very young age. Her Swiss-Slovak heritage, with parents Ivan and Dana Bencic coming from Czechoslovakia, shaped her early life, as her family’s move to Switzerland in 1968 set the stage for her to become a Swiss sports icon.

Bencic began playing tennis at the age of four under the guidance of her father, a former professional hockey player and later insurance broker, who recognised her potential early on. Her training from the age of seven under Melanie Molitor, the mother of tennis legend Martina Hingis, was crucial, fostering an aggressive baseline game. These achievements marked her as a future star, and set high expectations for her professional career.

Breakthrough on the Professional Stage

Bencic’s transition to the professional tour was swift and impressive. She made her WTA Top 100 debut at just 17, showcasing her amazing talent at the 2014 US Open, where she reached the quarterfinals as the youngest player to do so since Hingis in 1997. Her breakthrough came in 2015 at age 18, when she won her first two WTA titles, including the prestigious Canadian Open in Toronto.

There, she defeated four top-10 players, including a stunning upset over world No. 1 Serena Williams, cementing her reputation as a formidable competitor. The wins propelled her into the top 10 in 2016, a testament to her tactical brilliance and aggressive playing style,

Overcoming Challenges and Resilience

Despite early successes, Bencic’s career was not devoid of setbacks. From 2016 to 2018, she suffered several injuries, including wrist surgery in 2017 that ruled her out for five months, causing her ranking to drop out of the top 300.

Her resilience shone in 2019, a standout year where she won the Dubai Championships, reached her first Grand Slam semifinal at the US Open and qualified for the WTA Finals, finishing the year in the top 10 and earning the WTA Comeback Player of the Year award.

This period highlighted her mental toughness and ability to adapt, working with coaches such as Sebastian Sachs to modernise her game with aggressive patterns and an improved serve.

Olympic Glory in Tokyo 2021

The pinnacle of Bencic’s career came at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics (held in 2021 due to the pandemic), where she won Switzerland’s first-ever women’s singles tennis gold medal. Seeded 9th, Bencic endured a tough journey, defeating top players such as Jessica Pegula, Barbora Krejcikova, Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova and Elena Rybakina in several tight matches, including three consecutive three-setters.

Her 7-5, 2-6, 6-3 win in the final against Marketa Vondrousova showcased her championship potential, as she fought through her nerves and physical exhaustion to secure the historic win. Bencic also won a silver medal in women’s doubles with Viktorija Golubic, a double achievement that cemented her status as a national hero and put her in the league of Swiss tennis greats such as Marc Rosset, Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka.

Personal Life and Return as a Mother

Bencic’s journey extends beyond the court, reflecting her growth as a person. In April 2024, she welcomed her daughter Bella, and her husband and fitness coach, Martin Hromkovic, a former Slovak footballer, has been integral to her physical fitness.

After taking maternity leave in September 2023, Bencic made a stunning return to the WTA Tour in October 2024, competing in ITF events and winning her first WTA title as a mother at the 2025 Abu Dhabi Open, just 10 months after giving birth. Her comeback with wins over top players such as Elena Rybakina and Coco Gauff showcased her enduring talent and adaptability, and drew inspiration from other tennis mothers such as Serena Williams and Victoria Azarenka.

Legacy and Impact on Swiss Tennis

Bencic’s journey from prodigy to Olympic champion underlines her importance in Swiss tennis history. As a close friend and teammate of Roger Federer, with whom she won back-to-back Hopman Cups in 2018 and 2019, she has carried forward Switzerland’s tennis legacy.

Her Olympic gold medal, along with her contributions to the Billie Jean King Cup, including leading Switzerland to the title in 2022, establishes her as a leading player. Bencic’s story is one of talent, perseverance and triumph, inspiring future generations and highlighting the challenges and rewards of balancing professional tennis with personal milestones such as motherhood. Her aggressive yet intelligent playing style, combined with her mental strength, make her a force on the WTA Tour.