Bencic Bounces Back: +13 in WTA Rankings After Indian Wells Upset

Belinda Bencic, the Swiss tennis star, is set to climb 13 spots in the WTA rankings following a remarkable run at the 2025 BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells. Her impressive performance included a stunning victory over world No. 3 Coco Gauff in the round of 16, highlighting her resurgence after returning from maternity leave. While her journey was cut short by Madison Keys in the quarter-finals, Bencic’s performance signals a strong return to form and a promising season ahead.

Bencic’s Indian Wells Run: A Triumph Over Top Talent

Bencic’s path to the Indian Wells quarter-finals was paved with impressive victories. Entering the tournament as a wild card, she showcased her skill and determination by defeating several formidable opponents:

• Tatjana Maria: Bencic started strong with a dominant 6-1, 6-1 victory over the German player.
• Amanda Anisimova: She continued her winning streak by overcoming the No. 17 seed American in a three-set battle, 6-4, 6-7(3), 6-1.
• Diana Shnaider: Bencic then defeated the No. 13 seed Russian player with a solid 6-4, 6-4 performance.
• Coco Gauff: The highlight of her run was undoubtedly her upset victory over third-seeded Coco Gauff, avenging her loss to Gauff at the Australian Open earlier in the year. Bencic secured the win with a score of 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.

This impressive sequence marked only the sixth time a wild card entrant has reached the quarter-finals at Indian Wells since 1989.

Maternity Leave Comeback: Bencic’s Inspiring Return

After giving birth to her daughter Bella in April 2024, Bencic returned to the WTA Tour in October 2024 unranked. Her performance at Indian Wells underscores a remarkable comeback, demonstrating her commitment and resilience. Prior to Indian Wells, Bencic captured her ninth career title at the Mubadala Abu Dhabi Open, a WTA 500 event, in February 2025, marking her first title as a mother.

New Perspective

Bencic has spoken about a shift in mindset since becoming a mother, stating that tennis is no longer her entire world. This new perspective seems to be freeing her up to play with less pressure, contributing to her success. “I always put a lot of pressure on myself and try to do everything perfectly. I think it’s just about priorities, what tennis means to me has changed. It obviously means a lot, but it’s not my entire world anymore,” Bencic said.

WTA Ranking Boost: A Move Towards the Top 50

Bencic’s performance at Indian Wells is projected to elevate her WTA ranking by 13 positions. Live WTA rankings show Bencic around the No. 46 spot. Before the tournament, she was ranked No. 58, and her strong showing will propel her back into the top 50. This rise reflects her impressive 16-4 record since returning to the tour after her maternity leave.

Keys to Success

Bencic’s success in Indian Wells can be attributed to several factors:

• Aggressive Baseline Play: Bencic’s powerful groundstrokes and ability to dictate play from the baseline put pressure on her opponents.
• Improved Serving: After struggling with double faults in the first set against Gauff, Bencic cleaned up her serve and won a high percentage of her first-serve points in the following sets.
• Mental Fortitude: Bencic demonstrated mental toughness by fighting back from challenging situations, such as being down 0-40 in a crucial game against Gauff.

Quarter-final Defeat: Madison Keys Halts the Run

Despite her strong performance throughout the tournament, Bencic’s run was halted in the quarter-finals by Madison Keys. Keys, the reigning Australian Open champion, dominated the match, winning 6-1, 6-1 in just over an hour. Keys displayed a ruthless return game, winning over 55% of the points even when Bencic landed her first serve.

Looking Ahead

Even with the quarter-final loss, Bencic’s performance at Indian Wells signifies a positive trajectory. Her improved ranking and recent title win in Abu Dhabi demonstrate her potential to compete at the highest levels of the game. As she continues her comeback season, Bencic aims to build on this momentum and further refine her game. She has stated that she feels close to reaching her highest level and is focused on improving various aspects of her game.

Bencic’s Career Highlights

Belinda Bencic has achieved significant success throughout her career, including:

• Career-high ranking of No. 4 in the world (February 2020).
• Nine WTA singles titles, including the 2020 Tokyo Olympics gold medal.
• Two WTA doubles titles.
• Two junior Grand Slam singles titles (2013 French Open and Wimbledon).
• US Open semi-finalist (2019).
• WTA Comeback Player of the Year (2019).
• Swiss Sportswoman of the Year (2021).
• Hopman Cup Winner (2018, 2019).
• Billie Jean King Cup Winner (2022).

Bencic’s journey back to the top of the sport is an inspiring story of perseverance and dedication. As she continues to fine-tune her game and gain momentum, she remains a compelling force in women’s tennis.