By Scoop Malinowski Saturday, January 17, 2026
Photo credit: Matthew Calvis
Professional tennis is no joke, but Bianca Andreescu She learned to endure the highs and lows with a smile.
Andreescu, who has been plagued by a series of injuries in recent years, said she has to laugh to keep from going crazy.
“Honestly, all I can think about is why is this happening again?” Andreescu said after beating two-time major champion Barbora Krejcikova in Montreal last fall, tearing ankle ligaments in the process. “I think I even screamed, ‘Why does this always happen to me?'” Yeah, just some emotion. Obviously, I was very overwhelmed playing in front of my home fans. Win the game, right?
“It was match point for me, it was crazy. It was crazy. There was a moment where I started laughing
Because, honestly, it’s ridiculous at this point. That’s crazy to me. It’s crazy. I try to keep a positive attitude
But it becomes very difficult. Things got really tough. “
Andreescu, the 2019 US Open champion, has shown resilience and tenacity in her tennis comeback.
While top players are chasing millions of dollars and their tennis dreams in Melbourne at this month’s Australian Open, Andreescu will be competing on the lower-level ITF World Tennis Tour in Bradenton Palmasola this week.
The 25-year-old Canadian, currently ranked No. 225 in the WTA rankings, is recovering from an ankle injury suffered last year. Instead of trying to qualify for the Australian Open, Andreescu decided to make the unprecedented move of playing at the Inspiration Academy in Palma Sola, Bradenton. The total prize pool for all rounds of singles and doubles is $30,000.
Andreescu traveled to Bradenton from Boca Raton on Saturday with her father, Niku, a coach and strength and conditioning coach, arriving hours before Tuesday’s match against qualifier Malkia Ngunnu, ranked No. 1,223 in the world. She batted with the new coach and scored some runs Dusan Vimich, Who coached Novak Djokovic Last year, she sat through most of a three-set match as No. 2 seed Hina Inoue of Bradenton (ranked 238th) defeated Calista Lau of Hong Kong (ranked 1,017th).
When the competition came, Andreescu showcased his talent, which led to wins over Serena Williams in the 2019 Rogers Cup and U.S. Open finals. Andreescu’s speed, variety of shots, precision and the tenacity of a Grand Slam champion were on display in front of a dozen fans on a small court in Bradenton, compared to the huge and crowded stadiums she’s accustomed to playing in.
Bianca Andreescu interviewed with writer Scoop Malinowski.
Photo credit: Niku Andreescu
I conducted a spontaneous interview with Bianca after she went to court. In conversation, she was energetic, thoughtful, and funny.
status: World ranking 225. 2019 US Open Champion. Former world No. 4. Winner of three WTA singles titles.
born: June 16, 2000, Mississauga, Ontario
First tennis memory: I think I was 9 years old at the time and I would compete against boys and girls against boys. I remember it was my first tournament and I beat a guy – the first tournament in London (Ontario). I remember it very clearly. He cried after hearing this. I’m much taller than him. He also cried in the photo [smiles].
Tennis inspiration: I would definitely say Kim Clijsters, someone I grew up idolizing. Even after she came back, I had the opportunity to play doubles with her, which was in Indian Wells in 2020, and then COVID hit. Even now we still keep in touch, so that’s really nice.
Recently read books: I just finished. I reread it. This is Don Miguel Ruiz, The Master of Love. Basically it goes like this: life is about sharing love, receiving love from others, and basically taking care of everyone around you like a mother, but don’t forget about yourself.
Current car: Mercedes GLX (black) but my dream car is a Ferrari Roma Spyder, like a coupe.
The first famous player you met or encountered: Um…… Simona Halep. I took a photo with her when I was playing my 13th match out of 14 at the Wimbledon Juniors. As a Romanian, I also respect her. Very cool.
Favorite artist: I have some that I really like, Lil Wayne, I like Drake. And there’s Julia Wolf, who’s an up-and-coming artist who’s more of an indy rock sound. Now onto the different types.
Favorite ice cream flavor: These questions are interesting [smiles]. I can’t even remember a time when someone asked me this type of question. birthday cake. Love it.
Greatest career moment: I know everyone wants me to say the U.S. Open, but honestly — it’s the National Bank Open — but that’s the Rogers Cup. I think because it was my first time playing against Serena and being at home was just unbelievable. My family and friends were watching. Those were the courts where I grew up. I would say that, and then the U.S. Open.
Most painful moment of career: I thought…gosh…so many…but the most painful…honestly, I think I sprained my ankle last year. Or at the 2023 Miami Open. I guess I just didn’t expect any of this to happen. (Ankles?) Ankles, both ankles.
Favorite game: Indian Wells. U.S. Open. And NBO. I guess I won those [smiles]. I just love the atmosphere here. I just love those games. Indian Wells is one of the best.
Why do you like tennis: I guess I just enjoy the challenge aspect of it. I think tennis is a great metaphor for life. It teaches you a lot as a child and I think love has changed. I like competition. I love hitting the ball and I love creating wins. Basically just expressing myself. Now it becomes more of a challenge and perseverance aspect. Then overcome these challenges. And then being able to inspire people, I would say that’s a beautiful thing.
Interesting tennis memories: I remember – and it gives me PTSD, honestly – now I don’t care, when I was 14, I thought you (her father Nicu) were there. I lost my shoe during a game. It fell off my foot. I just remember being embarrassed. But looking back now, it’s really funny. And then I will say, after I won the U.S. Open, someone said they bet me that they thought I needed $50,000 to win. Then the return is about $500,000. Stupid things like that. So I think I helped change someone’s life [smiles].
Another was when I was 12 or 14 years old, in the middle of nowhere, and I forgot my shoes. This is a drive. I think it’s about an hour and a half drive – we always drive after every game. During the finals, when we got there, we realized I had no shoes. So my opponent gave me her shoes and they were a bigger size. I don’t think I won. So don’t forget your shoes, kids [smiles]. Moral of the story.
Your best feeling on the court: I would say the first one that comes to mind – Beatriz Haddad Maia US Open 2021 or 2022. I just remember being completely fluid… I came to the net and was like, nothing mattered to me. That was the first thing that came to my mind. Then against Muguruza in Indian Wells. Like 0 and 1, I’m like in this area, flow, I’m basically there before the ball. It’s just that feeling…it’s hard to get into that state. That’s what we all strive for, but I think that rarely happens. She was ranked in the top 10 or 15 at the time.
Weirdest match: A ball boy or line judge fainted because of the heat. ITF in Kansas City or the area. I play a lot of ITF.
Favorite sport besides tennis: I’ve been following a lot of hockey and basketball games, not recently, but a few years ago. But I want to go back in time.
Most admired qualities in people: I believe that compassion and calmness are not only for others, but also for yourself. It’s really difficult as a tennis player, but when someone shows a lot of calmness and compassion for themselves on the court, I think it’s a great quality to have. Vice versa, have compassion for those around you. And then be very respectful to everyone, no matter who they are, waitress, janitor or whoever. And then don’t take yourself too seriously because I feel like life is so serious already and they could keep a light outlook on life… Thanks, that would be great [our interview].
Author: Scoop Malinowski He has been playing professional tennis for thirty years and is an accomplished USTA player who has maintained a national ranking in recent years. He is the author of the new book Facing Andre Agassi. You can read an excerpt Facing Andre Agassi here.
