“It didn’t feel bizarre at all”: Bianca Andreescu shares what Challenger comeback taught her before Toronto return

Sunday, 02 August 2026 at 04:00

Bianca Andreescu does not see her recent journey through lower-level tournaments and qualifying events as something unusual. After years battling injuries and searching for consistency, the 2019 US Open champion believes those experiences have helped her understand herself better ahead of another important moment at the Canadian Open, where she returns to the main draw with a wild card.

The Canadian remains one of the most fascinating comeback stories in women’s tennis. Andreescu produced one of the most memorable Grand Slam runs in recent years when she won the 2019 US Open title at just 19 years old, but injuries have prevented her from building on that breakthrough and have significantly affected her ranking in the years since.

At 26, Andreescu continues to show flashes of the talent that once took her to the top of the game whenever she is physically healthy. Earlier this year, she returned to a Grand Slam main draw for the first time in two years after coming through qualifying at Wimbledon, marking another important step in a long comeback process.

Now back in Toronto, Andreescu will have another opportunity to compete in front of the Canadian crowd. The former world No. 4 received a wild card into the Canadian Open and will begin her campaign against 64th-ranked Tereza Valentova on Sunday, taking the Centre Court stage in a setting that has been missing from her career in recent years.

Andreescu reflects on rebuilding her confidence

Andreescu’s return to Toronto comes after a period where she had to rediscover her rhythm away from the biggest stages. The Canadian explained that the biggest challenge has not been trying to become the player she was in 2019 again, but instead understanding who she is now after everything that has happened throughout her career.

“I don’t think there’s necessarily any rules on that. But what I did find that helps me the most is not staying stuck in ‘how do I become that person or player again?’” Andreescu said at press conference. “It’s more about ‘how can I use that to learn from?’ And then who am I now in 2026?”

Bianca Andreescu at the press conference for the 2025 Canadian Open in Montreal.

Andreescu won her second WTA 1000 title at the 2019 Canadian Open at just 19 years old.

The Canadian admitted that she no longer has the same innocence she had during her breakthrough season, when she won her first Grand Slam title during her first full year on the WTA Tour. However, she believes she has been able to maintain the same enjoyment of the game, something she considers essential after several difficult seasons.

“I definitely don’t have that same innocence, right? It was my first full year on Tour,” she explained. “I had nothing else to think about. So now it’s just trying to recreate, obviously, the result, but who I am as a person in a different way.”

“It didn’t feel bizarre”: Going back to her roots

One of the most important parts of Andreescu’s comeback has been competing in smaller events, including qualifying tournaments and lower-level competitions. Rather than viewing those experiences as a setback, the Canadian believes they helped her reconnect with the foundation of her career.

“What I’ve learned is the level there is super high. Like, I don’t want anybody to think, ‘Oh, it’s a 75K, 35K, 120K, whatever.’ The level is very, very high, and all my matches have been difficult."

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For Andreescu, the biggest difference was not the quality of tennis, but the environment surrounding those tournaments compared with WTA events and Grand Slams. She believes the experience proved that she can compete regardless of the stage or circumstances.

“So it was more going back to my roots, right? Because that’s where I started. So it didn’t feel bizarre at all. I was just very grateful to be able to play those tournaments and go deep in them because that was the whole goal for me,” she added.

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The 26-year-old player enters the Canadian Open feeling healthier and more prepared than in previous seasons. She said maintaining her physical condition has been the main priority and believes the work done throughout her comeback has given her confidence that she can still compete against the best players.

“I feel good. I’m super healthy. That’s been the main priority for me, and I’m happy. I feel like I’ve been managing everything around me quite well, not only in my career, but in my personal life,” Andreescu said.

Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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