WTA Tour: Bencic Makes History in Abu Dhabi, First Mother to Win Singles Title Since 2023

Abu Dhabi, Feb 8 (NationPress) Less than four months after her return from maternity leave, Belinda Bencic achieved a remarkable milestone by winning the singles title at the Abu Dhabi Open, becoming the first mother since 2023 to secure a singles title on the WTA Tour. In a challenging final, Bencic triumphed over Ashlyn Krueger with a score of 4-6, 6-1, 6-1, after recovering from a first-set loss to claim the WTA 500 title on Saturday.

Bencic, a former World No. 4 and gold medalist at the Tokyo Olympics, took 2 hours and 23 minutes to achieve this comeback victory, marking her fourth tour-level event since the birth of her daughter Bella in April 2024.

With this victory, Bencic becomes the first mother to win a WTA singles title since Elina Svitolina lifted the champion's trophy in Strasbourg in May 2023. "It's obviously a huge emotional moment for me," Bencic expressed after her win. "It was a tough final; I felt like I had to switch to my turbo in the second and third sets. Seeing Bella in the third set made it really special."

This win marks Bencic's ninth career WTA singles title and her first since she won this tournament in Abu Dhabi in 2023. She boasts an impeccable 9-0 record at Abu Dhabi throughout her career. Bencic's return to top form has been swift, as she participated in a WTA 125 event, an ITF Challenger, and the Billie Jean King Cup Playoffs after returning to action in October 2024, eventually kicking off her WTA comeback at the United Cup in the first week of the current season.

The Swiss star quickly accumulated victories on tour, including reaching the Round of 16 at the Australian Open—her first Grand Slam since the 2023 US Open. Following her successful stint in Abu Dhabi, Bencic now holds a tour-level record of 10-3 this year. Currently ranked No. 157, she is the third-lowest-ranked player to win a WTA 500 title since the inception of this tournament tier. Only Alexandra Dulgheru (ranked No. 201 when she won in 2009) and Serena Williams (ranked No. 169 in 2011) are lower-ranked WTA 500 champions.

In the opening set, it was Krueger's powerful game that shone through, as the 20-year-old American, poised to make her Top 40 debut on Monday, unleashed 21 winners compared to Bencic's eight.

However, Bencic turned the tide in the second set, unleashing forehand winners down the line to clinch the first two games. She leveled the match after a second set where she hit 13 winners and only three unforced errors. Having secured a Top 5 victory by defeating Elena Rybakina in the semifinals, Bencic maintained her momentum in the final set, breaking for a 2-0 lead and then earning another break to lead 5-1, ultimately serving for the title.

On championship point, Bencic concluded one last rally with a forehand winner, her 30th of the match. The 27-year-old celebrated her first championship trophy in two years with Bella in her arms.