Signs positive for Bianca Andreescu despite defeat in return to action after six months away and emergency surgery

From having emergency surgery in February after seemingly being close to returning to action, Bianca Andreescu finally took to the court yesterday at the Rouen Open and even getting back on the court in the first place was a battle.

Andreescu had a back injury at last year's French Open before taking further time off between a first round exit at the US Open and two appearances in Japan. She reached the Quarter-Finals in Tokyo and then had to undergo an emergency appendectomy which was confirmed in February.

She was originally slated to return during the Australian swing at the start of the year but withdrew from tournaments which likely related to the recovery from the appendectomy. Her ranking fell to World No.130 this week and was the second season in a row that the popular Canadian had to start during the clay court season.

She had been sidelined during 2023 and 2024 with a back injury which saw her not play between August of the former to May of the latter. She lost out to Suzan Lamens 6-1, 4-6, 7-6(2) in favour of the Dutchwoman but after a rusty first set, Andreescu showed that her form is still there. Albeit of course it will likely take some time before she is back to her best.

The hope now will be that she can build on that, she will use a protected ranking to play Madrid next week in what will be the next test for her. The former US Open champion will hope first and foremost that she can stay fit after major setback after setback. A player who emerged so brightly onto the tour and won a Grand Slam early in her career, she has been dogged by injury.

The only issue could be going forward is the need to win games in order to not rely on wildcards as once the protected ranking runs out, she will need help to get into tournaments. But for now getting back was the main issue and she has done that despite defeat to Lamens in Rouen.