Bencic took time out with the birth of her daughter Bella in April 2024 and started the 2025 season ranked outside the top 500. She climbed to No. 11, which earned her the 2025 WTA Comeback Player of the Year Award; her five singles victories at the United Cup have taken her into the top 10.
“Of course, big confidence booster,” she said. “You start the year and you’re just trying to get matches in. Obviously, it’s been great playing match after match but being pushed so much from everyone.”
“[I’m] also super happy to be in the top 10 now. I think it’s been a huge goal, maybe a huge ride after the whole comeback, to come back and prove this to myself, that it’s possible.”
Alexander Bublik
Another player entering the top 10, for the first time in his career, is Alexander Bublik after a great run en-route to the title at the ATP Hong Kong Open, building on a breakout year in 2025 in which he won four ATP tour titles, the second-most behind Carlos Alcaraz.
While the 28-year-old revealed after the match that entering the top 10 was in his sights for 2026, for it to happen so early in the year was unexpected.
“The only goal for this season was to achieve the top 10 and in the first week I have won the title and I am into the top 10,” he said.
“If you had told me that last April I would never have believed you. But it is a pleasure and I hope to continue in the same way.”
Elina Svitolina
Fan favourite Elena Svitolina opened her 2026 account with a title in Auckland, giving her a major boost ahead of the Australian Open.