The tennis world is buzzing with anticipation as the 2026 Australian Open approaches, and one player has everyone talking: Belinda Bencic. But is she a true contender for the title?
Bencic, a former Olympic champion and world number four, has been on an incredible journey. After becoming a mother in 2024, she made a remarkable comeback in 2025, skyrocketing 478 places in the rankings and reaching the Wimbledon semifinals. Now, in 2026, she's off to a flying start, dominating at the United Cup and reclaiming her spot in the top 10.
But can she win it all in Melbourne? Tennis legend and four-time Grand Slam champion Kim Clijsters weighs in. In a recent episode of her Love All Podcast, Clijsters was asked if players can peak too early before a Grand Slam, using Bencic's current form as a reference.
Clijsters' response is intriguing. She believes Bencic is 'capable' of winning the Australian Open, but there's a catch. 'Yes and no,' she says, offering a nuanced perspective. Bencic has the skills and fitness, but translating that into Grand Slam success is a different story. Clijsters shares her own experiences, recalling how she won Brisbane in 2010 but lost in the first round of the Australian Open a week later. She also won the Australian Open in 2011 after losing a practice set 6-0 to Sabine Lisicki the day before the tournament.
Bencic, despite her recent success, has never advanced beyond the fourth round in Melbourne. However, she has reached the semifinals of both the US Open and Wimbledon. So, is this her year to break through? Clijsters' insights suggest that Bencic's form is no guarantee of Grand Slam success, but it's a conversation starter.
Adding to the intrigue, recent Australian Open champions have shown no consistent pattern in their warm-up tournament performances. Since 2020, half of the champions won tournaments before the Australian Open, while the other half did not. This includes Madison Keys, who won the Adelaide International before claiming her first major in Melbourne.
If Bencic were to win the Australian Open, she would join the ranks of recent champions who didn't win warm-up tournaments, such as Aryna Sabalenka, Naomi Osaka, and Sofia Kenin. However, her path to the title won't be easy, as she faces a challenging first-round match against former top 30 player Katie Boulter.
So, is Bencic destined for Australian Open glory? The debate is open, and opinions are divided. Share your thoughts in the comments: Is Bencic's impressive form a sign of things to come, or is it a red herring in the Grand Slam narrative? And who do you think will be the dark horse of this year's tournament?
