Belinda Bencic’s Triumphant Comeback Stuns Aryna Sabalenka as She Drops a Cheeky Take On Having ‘Babies’
Motherhood Is No Longer a Career Roadblock: Belinda Bencic’s Triumphant Return Inspires Aryna Sabalenka
Motherhood used to be seen as a career-ending chapter in professional tennis, but not anymore! Belinda Bencic’s recent triumph at the WTA 500 Abu Dhabi Open has rewritten the narrative, proving that mothers can return stronger than ever. Before Bencic, Naomi Osaka made a strong comeback just eight months after giving birth, securing a win against Tamara Korpatsch in 2024. Similarly, Taylor Townsend made history as a Grand Slam doubles champion at Wimbledon 2024 after welcoming her son in 2021.
Now, Bencic’s inspiring return has even left World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in awe. Reflecting on Bencic’s incredible comeback, Sabalenka showered praise on the Swiss star, expressing admiration for her journey back to the top.
Sabalenka’s Road to Redemption After Australian Open Disappointment
Sabalenka entered the 2025 season with high expectations, hoping to defend her Australian Open title. However, her dreams were shattered in a three-set loss to Madison Keys at the Rod Laver Arena on January 25. The defeat denied her the chance to equal Martina Hingis’ record of winning the Australian Open three times in a row.
“This one was the toughest. For a week, I was still thinking about that match,” Sabalenka admitted.
Despite the heartbreak, the three-time Grand Slam champion has now set her focus on the Middle East swing, gearing up for her opening match at the Qatar Open against Ekaterina Alexandrova.
Sabalenka Draws Inspiration from Belinda Bencic
Ahead of her Doha campaign, Sabalenka made a playful yet profound statement about Bencic’s victory.
“That’s impressive, honestly (…) It gives us hope that whenever we go for babies, we have a chance to come back if we want to 😁,” she joked.
Sabalenka and Bencic have faced off three times, with the Belarusian leading 2-1 in their head-to-head battles. Their most recent clash came at the 2023 Australian Open, where Sabalenka secured the win. However, she acknowledged Bencic’s growth, particularly after her fourth-round run in Melbourne and her Abu Dhabi title victory.
“She just came back, had a great run in Australia, and now she’s holding the trophy. It’s amazing, I’m super happy for her, she definitely deserved that,” Sabalenka said.
Sabalenka Prepares for the Sunshine Swing
With the Indian Wells and Miami Open on the horizon, Sabalenka views her Middle East campaign as an opportunity to fine-tune her game.
“The schedule is actually pretty tough, especially if you make it to the last stage of the Australian Open. But I’ll take these two tournaments as preparation for the Sunshine Swing and try to take my tennis to the next level,” she explained.
Despite her disappointing loss in Melbourne, Sabalenka remains optimistic about her season ahead.
“After tough losses, there are good wins. I’ll keep working and make sure that next time, if I’m in this situation again, I’ll play better,” she stated.
Sabalenka’s Sister Joins Her in Doha
Adding a lighthearted moment to her Doha preparations, Sabalenka revealed that her sister, Tonechka, has joined her on tour. During a practice session, Tonechka was spotted taking notes on her laptop, prompting Sabalenka to joke:
“Put your sister to work day. Oops, I mean ‘take’ 😂”
Can Sabalenka Conquer Qatar?
As Sabalenka returns to Doha for the first time since her 2022 quarterfinal finish, she is determined to claim the WTA 1000 title. But with a stacked field, including Coco Gauff and other top stars, her path won’t be easy.
Do you think Aryna Sabalenka can bounce back and dominate the Qatar Open? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
