“I was working really hard to even play, coming back. So to also win a title in front of my family, it’s really special,” Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic said back in February, holding baby Bella after conquering Ashlyn Krueger in Abu Dhabi, her ninth WTA crown and first as a mother. Through fifteen grueling tournaments, a Wimbledon semifinal heartbreak to Iga Swiatek, and relentless training, the grind paid off in Tokyo where she captured the Pan Pacific Open title and humbly confessed she didn’t expect success after one year of maternity leave.

Belinda Bencic, 28, has now captured her 10th WTA title, cementing her return to the top echelons of women’s tennis. A decade ago, she fell in the final of this event to Agnieszka Radwanska, but this time around, Bencic dominated Linda Noskova in the Pan Pacific Open final, cruising to a 6-2, 6-3 victory. “Honestly, definitely no, I didn’t expect this, it’s beyond expectations to have two titles already,” she admitted, reflecting her humble amazement at the achievement.

She continued, “Yeah, beyond happy with my season of course, it’s kind of you know you start to have success and like that tennis player syndrome that you always wants more and you kind of forget you already achieved and you always wants more so it’s nice to reflect some time and take a step back and kind of be proud of myself and I definitely am.” Her words capture the blend of gratitude and relentless ambition that defines her comeback.

When Bencic returned to the tour in October 2024 after maternity leave, her ranking had tumbled to 1,213. Through sheer determination, she clawed her way back into the spotlight, reaching the Wimbledon semifinals earlier this year and ascending to No. 13 in the rankings. “I’m really enjoying my time back on tour and I think it’s showing in the results,” she added. “I couldn’t be more happy and I’m definitely surprised. This was definitely not planned. It’s hard work but it’s a lot of self-belief and a lot of mental belief as well.”

Her Tokyo triumph places her alongside legends who have graced this event, from Billie Jean King to Naomi Osaka, highlighting the prestige of her accomplishment. Yet, the journey to the final was anything but easy.

In the quarterfinals on Friday, Bencic faced Karolina Muchova, needing to save a match point and fight through three hours and eight grueling minutes to survive, 3-6, 7-5, 7-5. Then, in the semifinals, she battled Sofia Kenin in another three-set thriller, 7-6(5), 3-6, 6-2, proving her resilience and mental toughness.

Starting the 2025 season at No. 421, Bencic’s Tokyo victory now projects her to No. 11, marking her highest ranking since returning as a mother. Her journey embodies both the physical grind and the mental fortitude required to climb back from the lowest rungs of professional tennis.

Looking ahead, Bencic is set to play her final WTA event of the year in Hong Kong, where she will enter as the No. 1 seed in the WTA 250. 

Beyond the trophies and rankings, she has expressed enduring gratitude to Tokyo, Japan, a city that has witnessed her remarkable journey from doubt to triumph, a testament to resilience, motherhood, and unyielding belief.

Belinda Bencic reflects on an on-court déjà vu moment

Relatively inexperienced in her first Tokyo final a decade ago, Belinda Bencic’s maturity and court savvy proved decisive against the younger Linda Noskova. She saved all ten break points she faced, seven in the second set alone, with the opening three coming in the very first game. After Noskova struck two big winners to earn the first break point, Bencic countered with a body serve that forced an error into the net, setting the tone for a gritty, six-minute hold.

Bencic’s battle-tested resilience from earlier rounds dragged Noskova into a physical contest, exploiting the Czech’s lack of experience under pressure. She held serve comfortably and broke Noskova twice to claim the first set in just 32 minutes.

In the second set, the fifth game proved pivotal. Bencic stayed composed, letting Noskova over-hit on the first four break points at 2-2 and then brushing aside the fifth with an ace, establishing a 3-2 lead.

Although Noskova held once more at 3-3, Bencic converted a final break and served out the match with a forehand winner. Her celebratory scream was a release a decade in the making, with 23 winners and just 13 unforced errors compared to Noskova’s 28 winners but 37 errors.

Key statistical edges came on first-serve effectiveness and break-point conversion. Bencic landed 68% of first serves, winning nearly 79% of those points, while Noskova hit under 63%, winning fewer than 60% of points. On break points, Bencic converted 3 of 6, while Noskova failed on all ten.

After the match, Bencic reflected on the special connection with Tokyo. “It was wonderful playing in front of you guys. The last time I won here was the Tokyo Olympics when it was an empty stadium… I love to play in Japan, so I’m super happy to finally win this tournament,” she said.

“I had a deja vu moment on court. I had match point on the same side, went for the same serve, and was telling myself the same things. I had goosebumps; it was really special. It’s great to win here again,” she added.

Fresh from her triumphant return in Tokyo, the mother now sets her sights on the next milestone, with a Grand Slam within reach as 2026 approaches!