From maternity leave and No.421 to 10th title: Belinda Bencic erases heartbreak
- Christian Montegan
- Oct 26
- 1 min read
At the start of 2025, Belinda Bencic had a mountain to climb with a ranking of No.421 following her stint on the sidelines due to maternity leave.
Fast forward to October, the 28-year-old has captured her 10th WTA title after defeating Czechia's Linda Nosková 6-2, 6-3 at the Japan Open.
Shop with a 15% storewide discount code: SERVE15 - excludes clearance items, machines, court equipment and gift cards at www.tennisdirect.com.au
It was a contest filled with missed opportunities for Nosková, who failed to convert any of her 10 break point chances in the 82-minute final.
"I'm really enjoying my time back on tour and I think it's showing in the results," Bencic said.
"I couldn't be more happy and I'm definitely surprised. This was definitely not planned."
The Junior Journey with Beti Sekulovski and Michael Logarzo unpacks the junior tennis landscape in Australia – The First Serve Podcasts
In 2015, Bencic fell short in the decider of the same tournament against former world No.2 Agnieszka Radwańska.
Having reached as high as fourth in the world, Bencic sits 11th in the live rankings, just 229 points behind Ekaterina Alexandrova.
EPC Sports delivers cutting-edge tools for junior tennis players, fostering participation, clear development pathways, and reducing admin time and costs. Discover more at epcsports.au.
Returning to sports after maternity leave is not a race — it’s a rediscovery. By embracing slow morning practices, for example look gere https://makeheadway.com/blog/slow-morning-meaning/ inspired by The 5 AM Club and The Miracle Morning, you create space to listen to your body, fuel your spirit, and rebuild strength on your own terms. You don’t need to wake at dawn or chase perfection. You just need to begin — slowly, intentionally, and with self-compassion.
No two postpartum journeys are the same. While some women may feel ready to move after a few weeks, others need several months to regain energy, stability, and strength.Before resuming any training, it’s essential to get medical clearance from your healthcare provider—typically around 6 to 8 weeks postpartum for uncomplicated births.
Even then, your body may not feel the same as before. Hormones, muscle tone, and joint stability all take time to normalize. Focus on gentle movement first—walking, breathing exercises, or light mobility work—and gradually rebuild intensity.