Bianca Andreescu ready to make waves at Canadian Open: "I feel very physically strong"

Bianca Andreescu will be one of the local stars at the upcoming WTA 1000 Canadian Open. The 24-year-old, who clinched the title in 2019 during the peak of her career, has struggled to advance past the third round in recent years.

Injuries have plagued the former US Open champion, but she appears to be overcoming these physical setbacks with promising performances since her return at the French Open earlier this year.

The current world No. 171 holds an 8-4 record this season, including a runner-up finish at the Libema Open s’Hertogenbosch—her second tournament back after a 10-month hiatus. Andreescu last competed at the Canadian Open in August 2023 before taking a break for the rest of the season and making her comeback in May.

In an interview with Match Point Canada, Andreescu discussed changes in her team: “I took a full 360 with my team. My coach now is my hitting partner the last three years, J.T. Nishimura. He’s been great. He’s taking a leadership role and I am as well. Because now I feel like I’m really paying attention to what I want to do, and he’s very receptive to that,” Andreescu said.

“He’s learned a lot over the last three years. He knows me inside and out, and he just turned 28 last week. I like that young blood on the team,” the former world No. 4 added. “I haven’t had a full healthy year on tour. My focus now has been to lock in physically so I do my best to prevent as much as I can,” Andreescu said. “That’s been basically the focus, and obviously my game too.”

Andreescu’s first opponent will be Lesia Tsurenko (No. 84), who has won both previous encounters. Andreescu anticipated a tough match: “She’s an incredible competitor. I’ve had two matches with her and they’ve all been physically brutal. But I feel like now I can sustain that. I feel very physically strong so I’m looking forward to it. I know it’s not going to be easy but the fans will love it.”