Belinda Bencic says that she is «really working on staying calm and positive» as she is happy that now, in every match, she is at least giving herself a chance. The 25-year-old Bencic started working with coach Dmitry Tursunov at the end of 2022.
In the offseason, coach Tursunov placed an emphasis on changing and improving certain areas of Bencic’s game. Now, Bencic is 14-2 at the start of the 2023 season when he captured titles in Adelaide 2 and Abu Dhabi. Two weeks ago, Bencic saved three championship points en route to beating Samsonova in the Abu Dhabi final 1-6 7-6(8) 6-4.
“I read a lot about ‘The Dmitry Effect,’ so maybe that’s it. Just staying really tough, disciplined and mentally strong. I’m really working on it right now, to stay calm and stay positive.
I think it’s really going better than last year. I had some ups and downs and also mentally I felt good, whether I go in or out, there is nothing in between. So now I’m really giving myself a chance,» Bencic told the WTA website.
Bencic has only two losses in the first two months of 2023
Bencic began his 2023 season in the inaugural United Cup, where he represented Switzerland. At the United Cup, Bencic defeated Yulia Putintseva in her opening match of the season before losing to world number one Iga Swiatek in her next match.
After the United Cup, Bencic won Adelaide 2, where he won all four of his matches played in straight sets. At the Australian Open, Bencic reached the round of 16 before losing to eventual champion Aryna Sabalenka. After the Australian Open, Bencic returned to action in Abu Dhabi, where she went 4-0 to win her second title of the season.
Last week, Bencic competed in Doha, where he won his first two matches before handing Swiatek a victory in their quarterfinal match. This week, Bencic is competing in Dubai, where she is the eighth seed.
