Belinda Bencic

Belinda Bencic is a professional tennis player from Switzerland, who has created a special identity for herself with her unique game style.

Bencic is one of the few youngsters who doesn't rely on all-out power to win her points, but instead uses a mix of tactical and positional variety to outplay her opponents. She achieved great success as a teenager, reaching the US Open quarterfinal at the age of 17, but has had to deal with a host of injuries in recent years.

Best finish at each of the four Grand Slams:

Australian Open: 4th Round (2016)

French Open: 2nd Round (2015, 2018)

Wimbledon: 4th Round (2015, 2018)

US Open: Quarterfinalist (2014)

Highest Ranking: No. 7

Style of play

Bencic is an aggressive player, but not in the traditional sense. She rarely tries to muscle the ball, and instead looks to end points with intelligent shot placement.

The Swiss has a lot of variety in her game, and can hit many different kinds of shots in a single rally. She can alter the spin, pace and depth of her groundstrokes very effectively, and frequently resorts to short slices or drops to disrupt the rhythm of a point.

Bencic hits relatively flat off both her forehand and backhand, and comes to the net whenever she pushes her opponent out of position. She takes the ball on the rise most of the time, which helps her take time away from the player at the other side of the net.

Strengths and weaknesses

Bencic's court sense and tactical awareness are her biggest strengths. Much like her countrywoman Martina Hingis, Bencic can outfox her opponents with her tricky variations and eclectic point construction.

Bencic's forehand is her stronger wing, and she particularly uses the inside-out version of it to spread the court and gain positional advantage. By hitting her forehand on the rise she can also change direction with it very easily, which often helps her surprise her opponents.

The Swiss has a solid serve, if not the quickest. She is not the best mover at the back of the court, but can make up for that with her remarkable anticipation and reflexes.

Bencic's hand skills at the net have given headaches to many opponents. She can hit both drive volleys and drop volleys confidently, which helps her finish points with authority.

Bencic's return of serve is also among the best in the world. During a mixed doubles match with Roger Federer at the Hopman Cup she famously outdid her countryman while returning the serves of Jack Sock and Alexander Zverev.

Personal life

Bencic was born in Flawil, Switzerland. She has Slovak heritage, with her parents Ivan and Daniela having migrated from Czechoslovakia to Switzerland in 1968.

Bencic started playing tennis at the age of three, and when she turned six she started training regularly at the academy of Melanie Molitor (the mother of Martina Hingis). She also joined Nick Bollettieri's academy in Florida during her later years, training there for six months.

Bencic seemed destined to become a dominant force in women's tennis when she defeated Serena Williams on her way to winning the 2015 Rogers Cup. However, persistent injuries since then have stalled her progress, and she even fell out of the top 100 for a brief while in 2017.

Despite these stumbles though, Bencic's talent is unmistakable. Many expect her to get back to her best and challenge for the Grand Slams in the next few years.

Social media presence:

Belinda Bencic Instagram: @belindabencic

Belinda Bencic Twitter: @BelindaBencic