"Martina Hingis, Federer & Wawrinka are in different position" - Belinda Bencic shares her feelings about being considered a role-model in Switzerland

Belinda Bencic recently made her feelings known about being considered as a role model in Switzerland. The athlete made her return to the sport six months after her daughter's birth in October this year and competed in the W75 Hamburg. She was bested by Julia Avdeeva.

After the last tournament, Bencic started her 2025 season by competing in the United Cup, which commenced on December 27. She is representing Switzerland in this year's mixed-gender team event and recently played a match against France. Here, she bested Chloe Paquet with a score of 6-3, 6-1.

Following this, Bencic teamed up with Dominic Stricker, along with Edouard Roger-Vasselin and Elixane Lechemia, to win with a score of 6-1, 7-6(4), and led Switzerland to a 2-1 triumph.

Ahead of this match, Belinda Bencic sat in a press conference where she spoke about being considered a role model in Switzerland. The interviewer asked the player that while she was growing up, she had Roger Federer and Stan Wawrinka to look upon, and now some of the players are looking up to her. To this, Bencic replied:

"It's just a thought I had earlier when Conny was so nice and she said that I inspire some other players in Switzerland, and it's almost like a pinch-me moment, because you're not really aware of that, because you're just kind of doing you and just practicing and looking up to other players like Martina and Stan and Roger."

"So it's crazy to be in that, not in the same position obviously, they are, like, in a different position, but to be in a similar position where maybe younger players look up to you. It's really, yeah, a pinch-me moment. It's a nice moment, and for sure it's something to be aware of, to try to be a role model and to inspire the next generation," Belinda Bencic added.

The 27-year-old will be playing in the United Cup with her boyfriend, Martin Hromkovic, and daughter Bella cheering for her.

Belinda Bencic opened up about how motherhood changed her life and career

In an on-court interview at the United Cup, Belinda Bencic spoke about returning to the court as a mother. She said that she did not expect to be back so soon. Along with this, she said that she and her partner were ecstatic to be parents, and they are very happy with their daughter.

Bencic further said that before welcoming her daughter, tennis was her only priority but now her family is her only priority.

“I didn’t expect to be back so early. I have huge respect to all the moms. What women go through, the body change is amazing. We couldn’t be happier at the moment. We’re parents now. Our lives have changed, but definitely for the better. We’re super excited with Bella. She’s here. We survived the flight to Australia," said Belinda Bencic.

She added:

“In the matches I played already think I was much calmer. I didn’t feel so much pressure I put on myself. Before tennis was all my life. I put so much pressure. Now it’s just not the most important thing. My priority is my family.

Belinda Bencic has won a total of eight career singles and two doubles titles in her career.