Interview with Belinda Bencic - "I need a sense of achievement"
Defending champion Belinda Bencic was eliminated in the first round of the WTA Premier tournament in Dubai. Jörg Allmeroth spoke to the Swiss.
by By Jörg Allmeroth from Dubai
last edit: Feb 19, 2020, 10:54 am
tennisnet : Ms. Bencic, you won the first 19 points in your opening match against Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova in Dubai, taking the first set 6-1. And then lost this match very clearly. How could that happen?
Belinda Bencic : I don't really know myself. Sometimes it is dangerous to lead so high, start so well. Maybe I thought: This is going to continue now, you are already doing it. And then it goes down and you can't find your way back into the game.
tennisnet : How do you digest this setback, after all you started as defending champion?
Bencic : The disappointment is big at the moment. I have to find my confidence now, I need a sense of achievement.
tennisnet : Last year, the rise in the world rankings in Dubai began with the tournament victory. What memories do you have of this week?
Bencic : It was an incredible experience, all the wins against big players. Suddenly I had this confidence in myself again, the belief, this self-confidence that also makes you float a little. It was a milestone in my career.
tennisnet : It was also a moment when you finally had all this misery, the many setbacks behind you - right?
Bencic : Sure, I had to digest a lot in the months and years before. Always new attempts, always new problems. And another comeback. That is a little grueling, it gnaws at you. Because you only want to concentrate on your tennis - and don't want to constantly listen to your body.
"You have to be wide awake at the next tournament"
tennisnet : All players emphasize the magic word constancy again and again. Playing through the year evenly, as best as possible.
Bencic : It's easier if you have the kind of success you had in Dubai last year. Win against opponents you couldn't beat before. And then one after the other. Then you go a little differently through the tennis world. But you have to be aware that you won't get anything for free. You have to be wide awake at the next tournament.
tennisnet : One has the impression that little is impossible in women's tennis.
Bencic : It is actually the case that there are no free rounds. Anyone can potentially beat anyone in any round. It is not easy to stay on top. To defend his place.
tennisnet : Which, however, was very successful overall. They even reached an all-time high in the ranking, with fourth place.
Bencic : Honestly, I don't really look at the numbers. It was a nice snapshot. But I focus on the tournaments, on the matches that I have in front of me. The motto is: get the best out of every day. It doesn't always work, I've now felt it.
Bencic is curious about Clijsters' comeback
tennisnet : Do you feel that opponents from lower ranking regions are now developing even more ambition against you?
Bencic : Difficult to measure that. I don't know if a professional player's ambition depends on this or that number. But clearly: you want to prove yourself against the top people. That's how it was and is for me too.
tennisnet : The tennis year is packed with appointments. In 2020 there will be the Tokyo Games, the Olympic medal tournament.
Bencic : It will definitely be an absolute highlight for me. I'm already looking forward to it. Also on the encounters with the other athletes.
tennisnet : You are a big athletics fan…
Bencic : Yes, I follow the competitions whenever I can. Especially from Mujinga Kambundji and Alex Wilson. It will be an exciting time in Tokyo, a great atmosphere.
tennisnet : Will you also compete there in doubles and mixed - and with whom?
Bencic : Let's see (laughs) ...
tennisnet : A big story in tennis is the comeback of Kim Clijsters. How do you see your return to the Center Courts?
Bencic : I naturally followed her on TV as a child. For me, she was the balancing act. I find this comeback exciting. And I'm totally curious how it will go for Kim beyond Dubai.