Swiss tennis star Belinda Bencic has captured headlines around the world—not just for her powerful game, but for her remarkable journey as a new mother returning to the top of her sport. Just over a year after welcoming her baby daughter, Bella, Bencic is making history at Wimbledon 2025.
A New Chapter: Welcoming Baby Bella
In April 2024, Bencic and her husband, Martin Hromkovic, celebrated the birth of their first child, a daughter named Bella. The couple shared adorable photos online, and Bencic took a well-deserved break from tennis to focus on her new role as a mom.
The Road Back: From Maternity to Major Semifinals
Bencic’s return to tennis was anything but easy. She started with lower-level tournaments in late October 2024, entering the 2025 season ranked just 487th in the world. “I started slowly after Bella’s birth, just trying to feel like myself again,” Bencic told ESPN, describing the challenge of regaining her form and confidence.
But her determination paid off. By January, she was back at Tour-level events, and just three tournaments later, she won her first title as a mother at the WTA500 in Abu Dhabi. Her comeback quickly became one of the biggest stories in tennis.
Making History at Wimbledon
Now 28, Bencic has stunned the tennis world by reaching her first-ever Wimbledon semifinal, defeating seventh seed Mirra Andreeva in a dramatic match decided by two tiebreaks. This is only her second Grand Slam semifinal—the first was nearly six years ago at the 2019 US Open.
Her victory over Andreeva was her 38th win over a top-10 player, and it marked a huge leap in the rankings: from No. 487 to inside the world’s top 20 in just six months.
Inspired by Motherhood
Bencic has been open about how motherhood has changed her perspective. “I never said this much to myself before Bella, but now I tell myself every day—I’m proud of myself,” she said after her win, her voice full of emotion. She credits her daughter as a source of new strength and motivation, saying that she plays not just for herself, but for Bella.
Fans have enjoyed seeing Bencic with her daughter at Wimbledon, even sharing moments like eating strawberries and cream together during the tournament.
What’s Next?
Bencic is set to face Iga Swiatek in the semifinals, a tough match against one of the top players in the world. No matter the outcome, her journey from new mom to Grand Slam contender has already inspired countless fans and fellow athletes.
Bencic’s story is a reminder that with courage and determination, it’s possible to write new chapters—on and off the court. And for Bella, she’s got a champion mom to look up to.