This week hasn’t gone too well for one of the most promising rising stars of women’s tennis at the WTA Finals.
19-year-old sensation Bianca Andreescu is yet to win a match at the season-ending tournament. After suffering a marathon loss to Simona Halep in her opening match, the reigning US Open champion was then forced to retire on Wednesday during her clash with Karolina Pliskova. The culprit was a knee problem in what is the latest of a string of issues to hit her. Speaking about her knee afterwards, Andreescu’s honestly raised eyebrows from some listening.
“Maybe I could have pushed it more. I don’t know. My team said no. It was good that I stopped.” She said. “Honestly, I could have kept going. If I did, then I would just be, like, whining on the court. I don’t want that. I’ve done that enough (in the past).”
As well as a sensational 2019 season where she claimed her maiden grand slam title and scored eight wins over top 10 players, Andreescu has also been criticised by some. Angelique Kerber once described her as ‘the biggest drama queen ever.’ The comment was in reference to a medical time out she took during their match.
It appears that the world No.4 is earning a reputation on the tour for her antics. Highlighted by Karolina Pliskova at the WTA Finals earlier this week. Pliskova lead the Canadian 6-3 before she was forced to retire from their match.
“I don’t know how bad it is. I was just ready that she was going to call physio because so far I think she has been calling physio in every match. It was not really a surprise for me.” Pliskova said.
“I didn’t know it was really that bad. Of course, I feel sorry for her. I don’t know if she’s going to be ready or if she withdraw completely, I’m not sure.”
There is no reason to suggest that Andreescu’s latest retirement was deliberate or an overreaction. She heard a ‘crack’ in her knee during play and will be subsequently undergoing a scan on Thursday afternoon. Earlier this year a shoulder injury meant that she could only play one tournament (the French Open) within a four-month period. Making her run to the US Open title in September even more incredible.
However, her on court theatrics has been called out by some. The latest being former world No.5 and grand slam semi-finalist Jo Durie. Who is currently covering the WTA Finals for BT Sport.
“I think she likes to play act a bit. It’s a performance for Andrescu isn’t it? On the court and off.” Durie told BT Sport.
“There has always been certain players on the tour, and also in my time (as a player), who would always act up and others that didn’t.”
Veteran coach Nigel sears elaborate further by sharing with BT Sport a conversation he had with Andreescu’s agent. Sears has a wealth of experience when it comes to working on the WTA Tour. He has previous coached Ana Ivanovic and is currently mentoring Anette Kontaveit.
“She has been injury prone. So she has had a lot to deal with.” Sears points out.
“I saw her agent this morning and he happens to be the same agent as Anette Konteveit has. I said ‘what are you going to do about all the drama’ and he looked at me and he just smiled. That all there is to it.’
“The locker room certainly knows all about it.” He added.
Andreescu is without a doubt one of the most formidable players on the WTA Tour. Rocketing up the rankings by more than 100 places since January. How great she can become remains to be seen, but will her ‘drama queen’ status hinder her abilities in the future?
Only time will tell.
