Belinda Bencic celebrated a remarkable achievement by securing her second WTA title since becoming a mother, as she triumphed over Linda Noskova in the final of the Pan Pacific Open, carving a new chapter in her professional journey.
At the age of 28, Bencic has now secured a total of 10 titles on the WTA tour, showcasing her enduring talent and commitment to the game. A decade ago, she experienced disappointment when she faced Agnieszka Radwanska in the final of this very tournament, where she suffered a straight-set loss. However, this time around, Bencic demonstrated her prowess on the court, decisively defeating the Czech player Noskova with a commanding score of 6-2, 6-3, thereby reclaiming the title that had eluded her in the past.
Bencic’s win comes at an impressive time in her career, as it follows her victory in Abu Dhabi earlier this year. This moment is particularly noteworthy as it arrives just 10 months after welcoming her first child and less than four months after making her return to professional tennis after taking over a year off for maternity leave. Her remarkable comeback story has resonated with fans, highlighting her tenacity and passion for the sport.
Reflecting on her connection to Tokyo, Bencic stated, “I feel like Tokyo and Japan is a happy place in my career, a place where I’ve had good success and I just love being here.” This sentiment is underscored by her previous triumph at the Tokyo Olympics, where she proudly claimed the gold medal in women’s singles, solidifying her bond with this vibrant city.
Bencic recounted a poignant moment during the match, saying, “I had a deja vu moment on court. I had match point on the same side of the court, 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.” This emotional connection speaks to the significance of her victory—not just in the context of the match, but as a personal milestone in her career.
After returning to competitive play in October 2024, Bencic was greeted by the stark reality of a world ranking that had dropped to an astonishing 1,213. However, her determination and hard work have paid off, as she has ascended back up to the 13th position and made it to the semi-finals at Wimbledon this year, only to be halted by the outstanding Iga Swiatek, who went on to claim the championship.
Bencic expressed her joy upon returning to the tour, sharing, “I’m really enjoying my time back on tour and I think it’s showing in the results.” Her surprise at her own success reveals the incredible journey she’s undergone, as she added, “I couldn’t be more happy and I’m definitely surprised. This was definitely not planned.” The unpredictability of her return only serves to amplify the significance of her achievements.
In discussing the efforts it takes to compete at such a high level, Bencic noted, “It’s hard work but it’s a lot of self-belief and a lot of mental belief as well.” This insight speaks not only to her physical training but also to the psychological resilience necessary for success in the sport.
She continued, “I’m really happy to have this confirmation with myself that I’m able to try to even beat my best ranking from before,” demonstrating her resolve to push beyond previous achievements and continually strive for improvement despite the challenges she faces.
Conversely, Linda Noskova, only 20 years old, continues to navigate her own challenges as she seeks to build on her professional career. She recently suffered a loss in the China Open final, aiming to capture additional WTA titles to complement her sole previous victory. The experience of both players illustrates the relentless competition within women’s tennis, showcasing Bencic’s inspiring comeback and Noskova’s quest for success in the sport.
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