Belinda Bencic "Next time we'll beat the Russians"
Belinda Bencic looks back on a successful 2021 season in an interview with Schweizer Blick. And also talks about the bitter defeat in the final of the Billie Jean King Cup against Russia.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit:
Dec 10, 2021, 03:30 pm
There are tournaments where everything just comes together. For Belinda Bencic, this tournament in the calendar year 2021 was clearly the Olympic Games in Tokyo, where the Swiss woman with the gold medal not only achieved her undoubtedly greatest career success so far, but also celebrated silver in doubles. A catalyst for the rest of the season, as Bencic now explains in retrospect: "The Olympic victory rather liberated and inspired me. I had achieved a great goal - after that every match was an encore and I could only win. Now I know that my attitude worked great, " said the Swiss woman opposite the view.
In general, the 24-year-old is satisfied with her season and couldn't really say anything negative. The only downer: In the world rankings, Bencic recently went downhill, the Swiss woman is currently only at number 23 in the WTA charts. "There are always ups and downs - it will never go great the whole season. I was able to celebrate the highlight of my career in Tokyo. But I also performed well at the US Open and the year was very positive with the Billie Jean King Cup completed, "said Bencic.
Revenge on the Russians
Speaking of the Billie Jean King Cup: Although the Swiss were able to celebrate a great success with second place, it has a pale aftertaste due to a line-up trick by the Russian opponents in the final: "The final was very bitter old format was set up - we hadn't expected that. We were so disappointed that we didn't even realize the huge success of making it to the finals, "remembers Bencic.
But the joy came back, emphasizes the Swiss. And Bencic has already found a way to take revenge on the eventual winners: "That was just the beginning, we are all not yet at the end of our careers. The next time we will beat the Russians - that will be the best answer! " Bencic is currently traveling through Central Europe, having recently completed a training week in Stuttgart with coach Sebastian Sachs after a stamina block in Bratislava, where things will now go back after a short stay in Switzerland. Towards the end of the year, the Swiss girl and her boyfriend will go to Dubai to acclimate to the Australian Open.
Reminder of tough COVID rules in Melbourne
The Australian Open will again be a test for Bencic with regard to COVID-19 - while the restrictions were laxer at some events, there is at least a compulsory vaccination for entering Down Under. And Bencic cannot rule out related measures at the moment: "At the moment it looks as if we don't have to be in quarantine for long. But now that there is a new virus variant, it is possible that they will reconsider everything and first want to see how the vaccination works. So you never know, "said the 24-year-old.
In particular, a long quarantine could be for the world number 23. in any case become a problem. Especially since the Swiss had already struggled with it last year: "I had fewer problems with the quarantine in the hotel. But the big challenge came afterwards. Many people think two weeks without training are not that bad, they are not aware of how much That can throw you back. In fact, you shed everything that you built up in the previous season in terms of muscles, "explained the Swiss woman. "After a two-week break, you have to plan for a slow build-up. Certainly not play a Grand Slam after three days."