Martin Hromkovic: The Guy Behind Belinda Bencic's Comeback

By Lewis Barnett 7 July, 2025 7 mins read 200 Views

God, watching Belinda Bencic back on Centre Court this year hits different.

Here's a woman who literally had a baby in April 2024 and she's already making it to the fourth round at Wimbledon. Meanwhile, I can barely function after a bad night's sleep. But behind every great comeback story, there's usually someone doing the heavy lifting behind the scenes. In Belinda's case, that someone is Martin Hromkovic - her husband, coach, and apparently the world's most patient man.

When she faces Ekaterina Alexandrova next (the No.18 seed, if you're keeping track), you'll probably spot Martin in the player's box with their daughter Bella. Trust me, he's impossible to miss - the guy who looks like he could still sprint down a football pitch but chooses to spend his time making sure his wife can dominate tennis courts instead.

Audio Summary of the Article

From Football Pitches to Tennis Courts

Martin's story starts in Slovakia, born May 27, 1982. Picture this: a 17-year career as a professional footballer, spending most of his time at OFC Russell Gabcikovo (yeah, I had to look up how to pronounce that too). FK Inter Bratislava picked him up initially, but he found his groove as a defender in the Slovak leagues.

Then something clicked. Maybe it was the inevitable end of every athlete's playing career, or maybe he just got tired of getting kicked in the shins every weekend. Either way, Martin made the smart move - he went back to school.

The guy earned a master's degree from the Faculty of Physical Education and Sport at Comenius University in Bratislava. Fancy title, but basically he learned how to turn other people into athletic machines.

When Professional Became Personal (November 2018)

Here's where it gets interesting.

Martin started working as Belinda's strength and conditioning coach in November 2018. Purely professional, right? Wrong. Spend enough time in a gym with someone, watching them push their limits, and apparently romance finds a way.

Belinda told Blick in 2022: "It came a little unexpected, but it's an ideal situation. When I work on fitness in Slovakia, we can be together." She wasn't wrong about the difficulty of tennis relationships either - "As a tennis professional, relationships are so difficult. I do not see my best friend until half a year later. You never see another tennis player. A man waiting at home — no chance!"

Smart woman. Why date someone who doesn't understand the grind when you can marry someone who literally designs your training program?

The Maldives Proposal (Because Where Else?)

November 2023. Martin goes full romantic cliché and proposes in the Maldives. Look, I know it's predictable, but when you're a professional athlete who spends half your life in airport lounges, maybe predictable paradise hits different.

Plot twist: around the same time, Belinda drops the pregnancy announcement on Instagram. "Expecting our little miracle soon! We can't wait to meet you." Talk about life coming at you fast.

They kept the actual wedding low-key - just a civil ceremony during her pregnancy. Belinda's manager Martin Bal confirmed it to 20 Minuten, but honestly, good for them. Sometimes you don't need the whole circus.

Baby Bella Changes Everything

April 2024: Bella arrives.

Now here's Martin juggling dad duties with coaching responsibilities, and somehow they're making it work. You should see him in the player's box at Wimbledon 2025 - holding Bella while analyzing Belinda's serve technique. That's multitasking on a whole different level.

Belinda's perspective shifted too. She told the Wimbledon website: "Sometimes I feel even more relaxed with a different perspective, you know, playing the tournaments, maybe being more grateful that I'm able to play and to have these beautiful moments together."

The Reality Check

Let's be honest - this setup shouldn't work. Mixing marriage with professional coaching is like... well, it's like asking your spouse to critique your driving while you're stuck in traffic. Recipe for disaster.

But somehow they've cracked the code. Belinda explained it best: "Fortunately, we can separate private and professional life well. When I work, I really see him as a coach. I hope it stays that way. For him, the job is done when I'm fit. Martin was an athlete himself, a footballer. So he understands well when I'm nervous or tense."

That last part is key. Martin gets it because he's been there - the pressure, the nerves, the weight of expectations. You can't fake that kind of understanding.

What's Next for This Power Couple?

Right now, Martin's focus is simple: keep Belinda healthy and competitive while being a present father to Bella. No small task when your office is tennis courts around the world and your wife is chasing her first Grand Slam title.

They're one of nine mother-child duos at Wimbledon 2025, which honestly feels like a small revolution in professional tennis. And Martin? He's proving that sometimes the best coaching comes from someone who loves you enough to push you harder than anyone else would dare.

Not bad for a former Slovak footballer who probably never imagined he'd be changing diapers between coaching sessions at the All England Club.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the key components of tennis etiquette?

Tennis etiquette reflects sportsmanship and respect. Players should be expected to give honest decisions on line rulings. They are also expected to avoid distractions while serving, remain silent in rallies, and offer a friendly handshake at the end of the match. Audiences participate in the etiquette of tennis by being quiet during match play, and applauding each other's good shots. These unwritten rules help maintain the integrity of tennis as well as its gentlemanly tradition.

What are the roots of tennis in history?

Tennis has its origins in the 12th century France. Monks used their hands to hit a ball called jeu de paume, which was played on courtyards of monasteries. Tennis evolved over time as rackets became available. In the 16thcentury, European nobility began to play the game. Tennis has undergone numerous changes since its inception, including the development of standardized rules and the introduction of lawn tennis in the 19th century.

What are four Grand Slam tennis tournaments?

The four Grand Slams, or Majors as they are sometimes called, are among the most prestigious tournaments in professional tennis. The four Grand Slam tournaments are the Australian Open, held in January, Wimbledon, in June and August, and the US Open, in September and October. These tournaments offer a high level of competitiveness, a long history, as well as significant rankings points and prize funds. Winning a Grand Slam is considered one of the greatest achievements in tennis.

What role have tennis icon played in popularizing sport?

Tennis icons are credited with popularizing the game around the globe. Throughout its long history, charismatic and talented players like Billie Jean King, Rod Laver, Bjorn Borg, Martina Navratilova, Pete Sampras, Serena Williams, and Roger Federer captured the public’s imagination. Their accomplishments on the court, and their personalities off the court have drawn not only fans to tennis but also inspired the younger generations to play the sport. Their legacies go beyond their titles. They shape the culture of tennis and its marketplace.

How has the scoring in tennis contributed towards its uniqueness?

Tennis has a unique scoring system that contributes to its character. The matches are split into sets and games. To win a set, players must win six games with a margin of at least two points. Scores are scored in games from love (0), to fifteen, thirty and forty before the game is won. If players tie (at forty), then they must win with two consecutive points. This system creates a thrilling element of unpredictability and tension, often leading to dramatic shifts in momentum.

Statistics

The International Tennis Federation (ITF) governs over 200 nations, indicating the sport's vast international governance structure and participation rate.
Lawn tennis, which evolved into the game we know today, adapted its point system from the jeu de paume, with theories suggesting its increments represent the face of a clock.
Since the Open Era began in 1968, allowing professional players to compete in the Grand Slams, the United States has produced the most Grand Slam singles titles across men's and women's competition.
Professional tennis players can serve the ball at speeds exceeding 150 mph, with the fastest serve recorded at 163.7 mph by Australian player Sam Groth in 2012.
Graphite became a popular material for tennis racquets in the 1980s, with over 90% of professional players now using graphite or graphite composite racquets.

External Links

How To

How to develop a strategy when playing grass court tennis

A grass court requires a unique strategy because of its low-bouncing, fast surface. Focus on serve-and-volley to maximize quick points. To keep your opponent on their toes, develop a powerful serve that focuses on accuracy and variety. When possible, build points so that you are aggressive and can approach the net. This puts pressure on your rival. You can improve your footwork to get better grip on the slippery surface. By customizing your tennis game to grasscourts, you will maximize your chances for success.