If somebody said a year ago that Canada’s Bianca Andreescu would win the Indian Wells title at the age of 18, they would have most likely been called mad.
At the time she was ranked outside of the top 200 and battling for points at ITF events across Japan. Even though many knew she was a big talent following a successful junior career, few expected her to rise up the ranks so rapidly. Making her breakout on the pro our in 2019 even more spectacular.
It all started at the ASB Classic in New Zealand at the start of the year. Fighting her way through qualifying, Andreescu stunned the draw with wins over top 10 players Caroline Wozniacki and Venus Williams. She would go on to reach the final of the tournament before losing to Julia Goerges. Suddenly the WTA Tour was starting to pay attention to the threat posed by the two-time junior grand slam champion in doubles.
Gaining in momentum, Andreescu’s meteoric rise peaked on Sunday at the BNP Paribas Open. Accepting a wild card into the tournament, the teenager stunned former world No.1 Angelique Kerber in three sets to win her maiden WTA title. Becoming the first wild card in history to do so and the youngest player since Serena Williams back in 1999.
“I’d like to thank BNP Paribas for giving me this opportunity. Without them I wouldn’t be in this situation right now. I’m beyond grateful for that.” She said during her press conference.
“It’s incredible to have my name beside so many incredible champions. It’s a dream come true.”
The most appealing thing about Andreescu’s game is her ability to mix up her shot selection. Against Kerber, she frustrated her with a combination of delicate drop shots and deep hitting backhands towards the baseline. Preventing Kerber from maintaining her rhythm in the match.
“She played the whole tournament good. I know that I had to play my best tennis. At the end I was not able to take my chances, but she did it.” Kerber said of the Canadian.
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The comparisons
Rightfully describing her journey to the biggest title of her career as a ‘fairytale,’ Andreescu will now have to live up to the expectation and comparisons coming her way. In 2018 at the same tournament it was Naomi Osaka in the limelight. At the same event she won her maiden title on the women’s tour. Osaka would then go on to win back-to-back major titles and become Asia’s first ever No.1 player.
“It’s definitely inspiring seeing her claim the trophy last year and winning two Grand Slams right after that has been amazing to see.” She said of the current No.1.
“I don’t really want to focus on the future right now. I just want to enjoy this moment, because I don’t want to take anything for granted. You never know what next week brings. I just want to savour this.”
One of the most striking things about Andreescu’s play is how mature she appears to be on the court and how well she reads the game. Admittedly against Kerber, there were moments of her having a teenage tantrum. However, she was mainly composed and professional throughout. Contributing to an expanding fan base and praise from top figures in the sport.
One of those admirers is Martina Navratilova. Somebody who is deemed as one of the greatest female tennis players of all time. Speaking on BT Sport about the rising star, she drew parallels between her and Andy Murray.
“‘She still has a way to go to play like him but she is definitely on that trajectory.” Said Navratilova.
“She’s got all the goods – she just believes in herself. What she can improve the most is the forehand, it gets a little off when she gets nervous, physical fitness – that will just happen, she’ll become more match tough. ‘She’s got really great hands, knows when to use what shots. Her tennis IQ, shot selection is really outstanding.”
Murray was 21 before he won his first Masters 1000 title. The male equivalent to the Premier Mandatory events on the WTA Tour.
A product of Canada’s rise in the sport
In recent times it has been Andreescu’s compatriot, Milos Raonic, who has been flying the flag for his country in the world on tennis. However, with a rapid rise in teenage stars emerging from the North American country, Andreescu belongs to a group of stars in the making. Alongside Denis Shapovalov and Felix Auger-Aliassime.
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Growing up the Canadian trained at Tennis Canada’s Regional Training Centre in Toronto and then the National Training Centre in Montreal. In 2017 the federation named her player of the year. Sylvain Bruneau, who is the current head of women’s tennis for Tennis Canada, serves as Andreescu’s coach.
“It’s easy to get distracted,” Bruneau told The New York Times earlier in the week. “But it’s going to be part of my work to make sure she stays in the moment.”
Trying to get the 18-year-old to stay composed may be easier said than done. She exits Indian Wells with a pay cheque of $1.3 million. Rising to a ranking high of 24th after ending 2018 at 178th in the world.
“Everyone’s victory in Canada gives each one of us motivation and inspiration to also do well. If they can do it, we can.” She said.
“I think this win will definitely give many people confidence, young athletes, maybe aspiring athletes also. And I’m just 18, so if I can do it, they can.”
Andreescu is without a doubt a star in the making, but it remains to be seen how great she can become.
