Bencic Sidelined from Paris as Old Injury Returns
Just days before the first ball was to be struck at Roland Garros, Belinda Bencic announced she'd be missing the famed clay-court event thanks to a persistent arm injury. The former world No. 4, who only recently made headlines with a strong return to the tour after maternity leave, broke the news herself on May 23, 2025. She let her fans know that a familiar pain had flared up during a practice session right in Paris, just as she was gearing up for her second Grand Slam since her comeback.
If you’ve been following Bencic, you know she’s been working her way back after her daughter was born in April 2024. Her journey hasn’t been just about getting back on the court, but about juggling the demands of pro tennis and new parenthood. Despite all that, her return turned a lot of heads—reaching the fourth round at the Australian Open in January and then capturing a WTA 500 title in Abu Dhabi. Her matches have shown she hasn’t lost the gritty play and court smarts that once got her so close to the very top of the sport.
What This Means for Roland Garros and the Draw
Bencic’s withdrawal doesn’t just sting for her own ambitions. She was supposed to face off with Elena Rybakina—a match-up only the first round could deliver—right out of the gate in Paris. With defending champion Iga Świątek lurking in the same part of the bracket, fans were buzzing about a loaded section from the get-go. That drama just fizzled out a little; instead, qualifier Julia Riera, a lesser-known name outside tennis diehards, steps in to fill Bencic’s place.
The injury will mean at least two weeks of total rest. Not what she wanted after recently pulling out mid-match in Rome against Maria Sakkari. It was there, on the Italian clay, that Belinda’s arm began acting up again—forcing her to retire in the opening round. It’s a familiar but unwelcome pattern for the Swiss athlete, as arm injuries can be especially tricky in tennis, with constant strain from serves and groundstrokes. Some fans worry: is this going to continue to haunt her season?
Bencic isn’t letting it dampen her spirits. In her social media announcement, she made it clear she’s focused on getting back to full health and already has an eye on the grass courts—especially Wimbledon, where her powerful game feels right at home. If her track record for gritty returns and *Roland Garros* absences are any guide, she might just use this setback to stage an even stronger push later in the year.
So as Paris gears up for its usual clay-court drama, it does so without one of its most intriguing returning stars. The women’s draw shapes up differently now, but with Bencic on the mend and planning her next move, you can bet her story this season is far from over.
- May, 26 2025
- Cassius Montgomery
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