The script felt perfectly set for Switzerland… Belinda Bencic, who’s rediscovered her top-10 form since returning from maternity leave, stunned the tennis world by taking Iga Swiatek in a gripping three-set battle in Sydney. Her 3-6, 6-0, 6-3 victory gave Switzerland the lead. For a moment, everything pointed toward a fairytale ending. A veteran legend in his final season, a revitalized champion returning to her best, and a nation chasing its first United Cup crown.

But Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz spoiled their party with his 6-3, 3-6, 6-3 win over Stan Wawrinka. Later in the mixed doubles, Polish duo Katarzyna Kawa and Jan Zielinski maintained their perfect record in the tournament, beating Bencic and Jakub Paul 6-4, 6-3 to clinch a 2-1 victory. It seemed that Poland might lose a third consecutive final, but their incredible fightback broke Bencic’s heart. She was seen crying in Wawrinka’s arms after this heartbreaking defeat.

The Swiss team bonded deeply over the past weeks, and much of that connection grew from their mutual respect.

“The team spirit is amazing, and it starts with the captain [Wawrinka],” Bencic said earlier in the tournament. “He’s supporting all throughout my match, and then he goes out to play his own match, and then he’s back to support the doubles. It starts with him, but then with all the energy from our bench, it gives us such a spirit to win.”

You could feel the energy throughout the event. Wawrinka cheered loudly from the bench. Bencic pushed him in practice. Both of them lifted the younger players and believed in each other.

Bencic has been one of Wawrinka’s biggest fans. Her respect for the three-time Grand Slam champion was on display when she was asked if Wawrinka deserved the AO wildcard.

“It’s not even a question, I don’t know what they’re waiting for,” Bencic said.

Later, even after losing his singles match, Wawrinka chose not to focus on himself but on Bencic.

“More than MVP, she has been leading this team from day one,” he said in the press conference. “It has been incredible both on and off the court. Thank you for helping us become better tennis players and people.”

“They mean a lot to me, especially coming from you, because I believe the true champion is you, and we are learning a lot by your side,” Bencic replied.

Switzerland did not win the trophy, but they won something else… moments of unity, vulnerability, and mutual respect touched every fan’s heart.

Belinda Bencic’s honest analysis of her performance at the 2026 United Cup

Belinda Bencic walked into the 2026 United Cup with confidence and walked out of it as the Most Valuable Player. Her run was historic. With a flawless 5-0 record in singles and nine overall wins, Bencic became only the fourth player ever to win all her women’s singles matches in a single edition after Coco Gauff in 2025, Iga Swiatek in 2024, and Madison Keys in 2023. Right from the opening match, she looked sharp.

Wawrinka even summed up the team’s vibe with his famous “we’re living in Belinda’s world” remark.

Bencic fought hard to secure a win against the world No. 2. While analyzing her match against Swiatek, Bencic did admit she always looked for “ways to improve and try to make her life a bit more difficult.”

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With this incredible performance, Bencic has now returned to the WTA Top 10 for the first time since becoming a mother.

“Of course, a big confidence booster,” Bencic said of the rank jump she made steadily from No. 421. “You start the year, and you’re just trying to get matches in. Obviously, it’s been great playing match after match, but being pushed so much from everyone. Also super happy to be in the top 10 now. It’s been a huge goal, a huge ride after the whole comeback, to come back and prove this to myself, that it’s possible.”

The United Cup story is over, but Belinda Bencic has already shifted her focus to the AO, and she is “super excited” to play the first Slam in 2026.