Bianca Andreescu prepared on all fronts for grass season in search of 1st Wimbledon win
CBC
Of all the high highs and low lows in Bianca Andreescu's tennis career, hardly any have come on grass.
Now, with both her physical and mental health in tow, the Mississauga, Ont., native is set for a month of playing on green courts, culminating with Wimbledon in late June.
Since 2019 — the breakout season in which she won Indian Wells, the Rogers Cup and the U.S. Open — Andreescu has played just four matches on grass, winning one. The lone win came against American Christina McHale, then ranked 239th, at the 2021 Eastbourne International.
The 21-year-old has twice played Wimbledon, in 2017 and 2021, but lost in the first round both times. She'll open the 2022 grass season at the Berlin Open this week.
But despite the relative inexperience, former coach Sylvain Bruneau says Andreescu shouldn't have any trouble adapting her game.
"She's very natural, very talented, which I think helps on grass. If you have that skillset and complete game and just that natural ability to adapt, I think she's got that," Bruneau told CBC Sports.
"My first message would be to her that I think her game is suited for every surface."
In December, Andreescu announced she was stepping away from tennis to recover following a "challenging" two years, which included multiple physical injuries, mental struggles and a bout with COVID-19.
WATCH | Andreescu reflects on break from sport:
She's now ranked 71st among WTA players, down from her career-best fourth, having only played on clay since her return to the sport in April. She's won seven times against four losses since then, with each of the latter coming at the hands of players currently ranked among the top 20.
"A lot of days, I did not feel like myself, especially while I was training and/or playing matches. I felt like I was carrying the world on my shoulders," Andreescu said after her first match back in April.
Her newfound mindset was made clear following a loss to World No. 1 Iga Swiatek at the Italian Open.
"Honestly, I'm just fired up to get back out there and play her again," Andreescu said after her loss. "If I look at myself a year ago, there's just been so much progress in the way I'm handling being back on tour and my wins and my losses. I'm just super motivated."
WATCH | Andreescu victorious in 1st match of season:
