Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic celebrated with child daughter Bella in her arms after beating American Ashlyn Krueger within the Abu Dhabi Open last to say a ninth WTA title and first since turning into a mom.
The previous Olympic champion, 27, battled again from a set down to beat 20-year-old Krueger 4-6 6-1 6-1.
Bencic’s victory got here simply 10 months after the arrival of her first little one and fewer than 4 months since her return from greater than a yr out on maternity depart.
“It has been some time,” she mentioned, greeting an appreciative crowd on the Zayed Sports activities Metropolis Worldwide Tennis Centre.
The previous world quantity 4’s final WTA title got here on the Abu Dhabi Open in February 2023.
“I’m tremendous comfortable to be again right here in Abu Dhabi. I did not think about this. I’m additionally getting a little bit bit emotional,” she added, after the courtside presenter broke down in tears when presenting her award.
“I used to be working actually arduous to even play, coming again. So to additionally win a title in entrance of my household, it is actually particular.
“To my husband and my daughter Bella, I really like you a lot. It was an enormous dream for me to return again and play in entrance of her and to win a match.”
When Bencic returned to the game in October her world rating had dropped to 1,213, however she reached the fourth spherical of the Australian Open on her Grand Slam return and her run within the Abu Dhabi Open has helped her break again into the highest 100.
Victory means she is going to now transfer as excessive as sixty fifth when the rankings are subsequent up to date.
World quantity 51 Krueger, who has moved rapidly up the rankings herself in latest months, appeared able to finishing an upset to say what would have been her second title and first at WTA 500 degree.
Bencic was damaged 4 instances in dropping the opening set however rapidly regained the shape that helped her declare an upset of her personal by beating prime seed Elena Rybakina within the semi-finals.
A clearly disillusioned Krueger was gracious in defeat, saying in her courtside interview: “It’s so spectacular you coming again and being a mom, it is actually inspirational, so congrats and good luck.”