WTA star makes winning return at the United Cup and helps her country maintain an unbeaten record

Follow us on Google Discover

A former Olympic champion and top 10 player made a triumphant return to the WTA Tour.

Belinda Bencic last played on the circuit at the San Diego Open in September 2023, before going on maternity leave.

She gave birth to her daughter Bella in April 2024 and eight months later the 27-year-old is back playing on the WTA Tour.

Bencic chose to make the return at the United Cup, and she helped Switzerland get off to an impressive start.

Belinda Bencic wins first WTA Tour singles match of her comeback

Belinda Bencic produced an impressive performance in her first WTA Tour match in 15 months.

She played both singles and the deciding mixed doubles tie, and won both matches to give her country of Switzerland a 2-1 win over France in their opening group match at the United Cup.

Bencic began by beating Chloé Paquet 6-3, 6-1, which marked her first match WTA Tour win since the 2023 US Open. 

She then teamed up with Dominic Stricker to defeat Elixane Lechemia and Édouard Roger-Vasselin 6-1, 7-6 to ensure her country began the United Cup with a victory.

“I’m really excited to be back, of course,” Bencic said on court after her singles win. “I had a little bit of nerves at the start and a little bit of rust, so I’m happy I kind of accepted that and tried to fight through it.

“And after, I felt like it went smoother, I became a little bit more calm, and kind of was more able to focus on my tennis.”

Switzerland maintain United Cup doubles record

Switzerland began the 2025 United Cup with a win after Bencic and Stricker won the deciding doubles tie.

This was the country’s third doubles win at the United Cup, and according to OptaAce, among the six nations with three or more wins in the format, Switzerland are the only undefeated nation in doubles at the event.

This record may be on the line again when Switzerland face Billie Jean King Cup champions Italy on Sunday, and Bencic is feeling good about her form ahead of the contest.

“I didn’t expect, of course, to be back so early,” Bencic said. “I definitely have a huge respect to all the moms there, what a woman goes through, the body changes. And everything is amazing, we couldn’t be happier at the moment.”