It has been a far from the perfect year for Bianca Andreescu who has sought help from one of the sports most experienced coaches.
The Canadian has been blighted by injury since her breakthrough season in 2019 when she won the US Open and rose to a ranking high of number four in the world. It looked as if Andreescu was back on track in March when she reached the final of the Miami Open before suffering an injury that forced her to retire from the title match. A couple of months later her start to the clay swing was postponed after she tested positive for COVID-19. Since then, she has won just three out of her nine matches played.
Still just 21, Andreescu recently ended her partnership with coach Sylvain Bruneau after four years of working together. Searching for a replacement, she is now seeking guidance from Sven Groeneveld on what is a trial basis. The 58-year-old has previously worked with the likes of Maria Sharapova, Monica Seles, Ana Ivanovic, Caroline Wozniacki and Arantxa Sanchez Vicario.
“I wanted someone who’s a very good communicator, who doesn’t bulls–t me, who’s very honest. If he doesn’t like something, I want him to tell me up front. And I want to be able to be open with that person as well because that’s how you improve and you build on a relationship,” Andreescu told reporters on Saturday. “And also, having good experience on tour because I want to get to the next level in my career. And he has all of those things.”
How the two got acquainted is through the help of Andreescu’s newly appointed agent Max Eisenbud. She officially moved management companies to IMG Tennis back in June. Coincidentally Eisenbud was the former agent of Sharapova, who had previously worked with Groenveld.
Shedding some light on their work together, Andreescu praises the fine details of work being conducted by her new mentor.
“That’s what I appreciate the most, because I don’t feel like a lot of people (are). Like for my serve and just my movement in general on court, he gives these little key points that really stick with me and make a big difference,” she explained.
The next challenge for the world No.5 will be the National Bank Open where she is the defending champion after winning the title in 2019. Last year’s tournament, which used to be called the Rogers Cup, was cancelled due to the COVID-019 pandemic.
Whilst practice appears to be going well for Andreescu, there remain unanswered questions about how she will fair during matches.
“On the court, I feel like I’m the same person because I am fearless. I feel confident at least, now,” she said. “I know practices aren’t the same as playing matches. So I really want what’s happening in practice to correlate in my matches.
“All I can say is, I’m super excited. And I want to win this again.”
Granted a bye in the first round, Andreescu will start her campaign at the National Bank Open against either her compatriot Leylah Annie Fernandez or a qualifier.
