Rediscovering Her Passion Through Family and Tennis
Belinda Bencic’s journey back to competitive tennis after becoming a mother has been nothing short of inspiring. The 2025 season has seen her secure 11 victories out of 15 matches, a testament to her resilience and dedication. One of her most notable wins came at the Abu Dhabi Open, where she claimed her first title since returning from maternity leave. This victory not only highlighted her skill but also underscored the significant changes in her approach to the game.
Moments of Reflection and Growth
Bencic's recent Instagram posts offer a glimpse into her personal life, revealing the joy she finds in spending time with her husband Martin Hromkovic and their nine-month-old daughter Bella. These moments of relaxation are crucial for her mental well-being, especially given the rigorous demands of professional tennis. Her ability to balance these aspects of her life has transformed her perspective on competition and success.
The impact of motherhood on Bencic’s career is profound. She candidly discussed how her priorities have shifted since Bella’s birth. Where once she might have dwelled on losses or setbacks, she now finds solace and motivation in her family. This newfound balance has allowed her to approach each match with renewed vigor and a fresh mindset.
Achievements and Challenges
Bencic’s return to form was evident in her Abu Dhabi triumph, where she overcame formidable opponents, including two Wimbledon champions. This victory propelled her up the rankings by an impressive 92 places. However, her path has not been without obstacles. An early exit from the Dubai Tennis Championships served as a reminder of the unpredictable nature of sports. Yet, Bencic remains undeterred, using each experience as a learning opportunity.
Her previous success at the Abu Dhabi tournament in 2023 further underscores her potential. That win, achieved after saving three match points against Liudmila Samsonova, marked her seventh WTA title. While she may still be some distance from her career-high ranking of No. 4 in 2020, Bencic’s current trajectory suggests a promising future. Her wildcard entry into the BNP Paribas Open represents another chance to showcase her talents on a grand stage.
Preparing for Indian Wells
As Bencic gears up for the BNP Paribas Open, she reflects on her past performances at the event. Having reached the semifinals in 2019, she approaches this year’s tournament with optimism and determination. The support of her family, particularly her husband Martin, who doubles as her physiotherapist, plays a vital role in her preparation. Together, they work tirelessly to ensure she is in peak physical and mental condition.
This ninth appearance at Indian Wells holds special significance for Bencic. It symbolizes her growth both as an athlete and a mother. With every challenge overcome, she continues to redefine what it means to excel in the world of professional tennis. As she steps onto the court, the world will be watching to see how far she can go, fueled by love, determination, and a renewed sense of purpose.
The George Mason women's tennis team faced a challenging outdoor match against the formidable Fordham Rams. Despite battling windy conditions, the Patriots put up a strong fight but ultimately fell 0-4 to the Rams. The match highlighted both the challenges of playing outdoors for the first time this season and the competitive spirit of the team. Coach Steve Curtis praised his players' resilience, especially considering the gusty winds that made gameplay particularly difficult. Looking ahead, the Patriots have an exciting schedule lined up, including participation in the PTR SpringFest in Hilton Head, South Carolina.
Challenging Start in Doubles Play
In the opening phase of the match, the doubles competition set the tone for what would be a tough day for the Patriots. Despite the challenging weather conditions, the team showed determination, with Mary Young and Brooklyn Siegel pushing their opponents to a tiebreaker at the second doubles position. Although they eventually lost, their performance was a highlight for the team.
The doubles matches were crucial in determining the overall outcome. Fordham secured the doubles point early on, putting pressure on the Patriots. At the first doubles position, Nevena Kolarevic and Juli Nguyen of Fordham overcame Cenan Liu and Lauren Splett with a close 7-5 victory. Meanwhile, Ava Matsunaga and Sofie Siem of Fordham dominated Maya Bayat and Lakshya Motam, winning 6-0 at the third doubles position. These results gave Fordham a significant advantage heading into singles play.
Battling Elements and Top Competition in Singles
As the singles matches unfolded, the Patriots continued to face both environmental and competitive challenges. Wind gusts reaching up to 30 miles per hour added another layer of difficulty to an already tough matchup. While the Rams secured victories in three singles positions, several Patriot players demonstrated impressive performances under pressure.
Maya Bayat stood out, leading Paola Dalmonico 6-4, 4-1 when the match was called due to Fordham securing the win. Lauren Splett also showed resilience, recovering from losing the first set to level the second set. Mary Young faced a tough opponent in Juli Nguyen, who led 6-3, 4-1 at the second singles position. Despite not finishing all matches, the Patriots displayed commendable effort, especially considering the adverse weather conditions. Coach Curtis expressed satisfaction with the team's performance, emphasizing their ability to adapt to the challenges of outdoor play.
The Stonehill College women's tennis team recently faced a challenging match against Tufts University at the Gantcher Center in Medford, Massachusetts. On March 1, 2025, the Skyhawks encountered a tough defeat with a score of 1-6. Despite this setback, there were notable performances from several players, including freshman Lilah Shallcross and the duo of senior captain Anneliese Beltran and sophomore Julie Holte. The team is now gearing up for their next encounter on March 9, 2025, at the University of Massachusetts.
In a significant highlight of the match, Shallcross made a triumphant return after missing the previous game against Boston College. She secured a win in singles play by defeating Lucy Mitchell with scores of 6-1 and 6-4 on the No. 3 court. This victory was particularly impressive given her absence from the last competition.
Another standout moment came from the doubles pairing of Beltran and Holte. Competing together for the first time since February 17, they achieved an impressive 6-4 win over Melanie Woodbury and Stephanie Woodbury on the first doubles court. This marked their sixth consecutive victory as a duo this spring, showcasing their strong partnership and consistent performance.
However, the match also saw several setbacks for the Skyhawks. Julie Holte narrowly lost to Ellie Gershaw on the first singles court, while Beltran faced a tough loss to M. Woodbury on the second singles court. Additionally, Madison Warren, Arya Chabria, and Alice Brito do Rio each faced defeats in their respective singles matches. In doubles play, the teams of Warren and Brito do Rio, as well as Chabria and Shallcross, also fell short.
The order of finishes in the match included the doubles rounds followed by singles matches. With this experience under their belts, the Stonehill women's tennis team will now focus on preparing for their upcoming match at the Mullins Tennis Center on the campus of the University of Massachusetts. The team aims to build on their strengths and address areas for improvement as they continue their season.