Belinda Bencic has enjoyed a fantastic start to her 2025 WTA campaign, picking up her first title in two years.
The Swiss star returned from maternity leave at the end of last year, competing in smaller ITF and Challenger events ahead of a return to the WTA Tour in 2025.
It didn’t take her long to achieve success, as Bencic won the Abu Dhabi Open in February, taking down former Major champions Marketa Vondrousova and Elena Rybakina on her way to the title.
She then secured her biggest win since returning to tennis when Bencic beat Coco Gauff in the fourth round at Indian Wells.
Suffering a minor setback in South Carolina, Bencic lost her opening match at the Charleston Open, as she now names her dream WTA opponent.
Belinda Bencic names Steffi Graf as her dream WTA Tour opponent
Appearing as a guest on the Served with Andy Roddick podcast, Bencic was asked to name her dream tennis opponent.
“I would probably say Steffi Graf because I would want to know what it was like to play that slice,” she said.
Former world number one Kim Clijsters agreed with Bencic’s pick, having played the German recently.
“I played her last week in an exhibition. It is unbelievable, and the footwork,” she said.
“I sent a picture to my Mum of Steffi [Graf] and I, and I said the 14-year-old version on myself is very excited!”
Bencic named another player whom she was grateful to have competed alongside.
“I think you could say Martina [Hingis] because she was my childhood hero, but I played with her so many times,” she said.
“I played doubles with her, so that was a check off.”
The world number 41 was also pleased to have taken on two of the greatest American players in tennis history.
“I am happy I checked off the Williams sisters as when I was small I was like wow, I will probably never have the chance to play them,” said Bencic.
“First of all, I didn’t know if I would make it to that level, and secondly, I didn’t think if I would make it in time before they retire.
“It was amazing to be able to play both Serena [Williams] and Venus [Williams].”
Did Belinda Bencic ever beat Serena Williams or Venus Williams?
In total, Bencic has played ten matches against the Williams sisters, securing several big wins against the former Grand Slam champions.
| Match | Winner | Loser | Score |
| 2022 Toronto – R32 | Belinda Bencic | Serena Williams | 6-2, 6-4 |
| 2019 Beijing – R32 | Belinda Bencic | Venus Williams | 3-6, 6-3, 7-5 |
| 2018 Australian Open – 1R | Belinda Bencic | Venus Williams | 6-3, 7-5 |
| 2017 Australian Open – 1R | Serena Williams | Belinda Bencic | 6-4, 6-3 |
| 2015 US Open – 3R | Venus Williams | Belinda Bencic | 6-3, 6-4 |
| 2015 Toronto – SF | Belinda Bencic | Serena Williams | 3-6, 7-5, 6-4 |
| 2015 Dubai – R32 | Venus Williams | Belinda Bencic | 6-1, 6-2 |
| 2014 French Open – 1R | Venus Williams | Belinda Bencic | 6-4, 6-1 |
| 2014 Madrid Open – R64 | Serena Williams | Belinda Bencic | 6-2, 6-1 |
| 2012 Luxembourg Open – R32 | Venus Williams | Belinda Bencic | 6-3, 6-1 |
Bencic holds a mightily impressive 2-2 record against 23-time Major champion Serena Williams, scoring two victories against her at the Canadian Open.
The 28-year-old’s win over Williams in the 2015 semi-finals helped propel her to a first career WTA 1000 title, taking down Simona Halep in the final.
Against the older of the two sisters, Bencic struggled, losing four times, winning just twice.
Her biggest win over Venus Williams came in Melbourne, securing a straight sets victory in the first round of the 2018 Australian Open.
It remains to be seen if Bencic can beat any ‘future’ tennis legends as she continues her rise back up the WTA rankings.
The Swiss star is scheduled to return to the court at the Madrid Open, which begins on April 21.
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