It was the 2019 Canadian Open. Serena Williams was in the summit clash and was due to face the local star, Bianca Andreescu, in the final. With the former being a strong favorite to win the title, Andreescu had a nervous time in the lead-up to the final. To everyone’s surprise, Williams retired midway through the first set after suffering a back injury. Andreescu was leading 3-1 in the opening set when Williams decided to pull out. This handed Andreescu the title, and she became the first Canadian player in the Open Era to win the tournament. 5 years later, Andreescu revealed secrets about the nervous wait before facing Williams.

In an article by The Players’ Tribune, dated August 2024, Andreescu wrote, “I was tearing up at Indian Wells, but I was literally bawling my eyes out at Rogers. I mean it’s my hometown, it’s Serena Williams in the final … it doesn’t get better than that, right? I loved Serena growing up, and I still love her now. She’s incredible. I was so nervous heading into our match, but my coach said, ‘Imagine how she’s feeling. She’s playing this up-and-coming Canadian at the Canadian Open, and she doesn’t like going against players with your variety.’”

Further, she went on to add, “He was so motivating. Like, “Shift your mindset. Think like she’s the one s*****ng her pants, not you. So I said fake it till you make it, even though I was still wiping my tears walking onto the court. I was still in this place where I had to train my mind up to think, I deserve to be here, and I deserve to win.”

Further, it wasn’t Andreescu’s only win against Williams that year. She defeated the American legend in the finals of the US Open to win her maiden Grand Slam title. “I want to surpass Serena [Williams] and her wins. Maybe even Chrissy Evert, who knows? Margaret Court,” she once said.

However, Andreescu’s career has been marred by injuries following her maiden Grand Slam title win. She is taking mindful steps to get back to her best.

Bianca Andreescu opens up on her comeback

Despite playing in a handful of tournaments this year, Andreescu hasn’t had a full-fledged comeback in 2024. She has remained outside the top 100 of the WTA rankings after failing to perform consistently on the tour. However, she has remained in good mental space despite the lows of defeats, something which she wants to take ahead next season.

During an interview, she said, “I always identified myself too much with the sport. Being out of the sport kind of helps in that way. You can get too attached to the game of tennis. I feel like I’m very strong mentally. I think before I was focusing too much on the other opponent. Now I really want to tune into me.” 

Further, she went on to add, “I want to win, but I can definitely say now it didn’t work so well in the past for me. I’m a very emotional person, and I hold a lot in. I never want to be a burden to people so I try not to speak my mind as often as I know I can. So I have to learn to be more open.”

Andreescu returned to the tennis circuit at the French Open this year after being away from the sport for nine months. With the Canadian star working on her fitness now, expect a rejuvenated Andreescu go out all guns blazing in 2025.