PARIS | Bianca Andreescu’s life has changed since she became the 2019 US Open champion by defeating Queen Serena Williams. At 19, she became an instant star.
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And despite struggling after that due to lengthy breaks due to injuries and mental health concerns, the Ontario native continues to draw crowds when she plays, as noted by Le Journal at Roland Garros.
Fans love his fighting side and his spectacular comebacks where he wins in three rounds.
“People like it, but it’s difficult for the coach and the family,” admits his coach Christophe Lambert, who met after his protégé’s first mixed doubles match. But we know she can always get away with it. This is also the case in everyday life, there are ups and downs. This kind of game makes them likeable. With the other players, we just focus on not losing. Bianca radiates something that attracts people.
Generous
His endearing and authentic personality also allows him to expand his fan base.
“She has a lot of empathy and people feel it,” continues the 57-year-old Frenchman. You feel like he’s a good person. She always takes the time to sign autographs. Not all players do that.
“One of my goals is to be a role model and to be a good influence on others,” Andreescu said. Tennis is a hobby for people and most of the time I manage to put on a good show for them. They like it. I can interact with them and ask them to encourage me. It seems to make her happy and I find it likeable.
That wasn’t the case in Saturday’s third round, however, as nothing worked for the former world fourth against Ukraine’s Lesia Tsurenko, 66, who eliminated her 6-1 in two identical short sets. But earlier in the tournament she had laughed with the crowd and even with a referee who had wiped dirt off her back with a towel. She feeds on this energy.
“If she’s not communicating with the people on the ground, you know it’s not going to be a good day,” says Lambert. I can feel it immediately. If she doesn’t look at people, if she doesn’t give a little smile or do a little silly thing, it wouldn’t be a good day.
Photo Mylene Richard
Christophe Lambert, coach of Bianca Andreescu, scored in Roland-Garros.
Atmosphere with Kyrgios
For Lambert, Bianca often cuts a fine figure and he doesn’t understand why she isn’t invited to show tournaments or promotions more often. But at the beginning of the season in Dubai, she ended up at the stake with Australian Nick Kyrgios.
“There were dancers in the square and when they sat down, Bianca got up. [pour aller jouer], but it was too early, so instead of sitting down, she started dancing with people. Everyone appreciated it,” says the former Tennis Canada coach.
Canadian women shine in doubles
Andreescu and Gabriela Dabrowski could face off in the mixed doubles semifinals at Roland-Garros. The two Ontarians enjoyed a second-round win on Sunday; Andreescu regularly met New Zealand’s Michael Venus, while Dabrowski and his American partner Nathaniel Lammons took advantage of their opponents’ retreat. Brit Jamie Murray has reportedly suffered from food poisoning.
But before they go head-to-head, the Canadians need to win their quarter-finals. The 2017 Roland Garros champion will also be there on Monday after crossing paths with Quebec’s Leylah Annie Fernandez in women’s doubles. The latter allies with the American Townsend and is the 10th favorite.
As for Dabrowski, she and Brazil’s Luisa Stefani are No. 8 seeded.
▶ It was also the appearance of the Maple Leaf’s sole junior representative, Keegan Rice. The 16-year-old Saskatchewan, who trains at the National Center in Montreal, defeated 17-year-old Frenchman Théo Papamalamis 7-6 (2), 6-3. Rice did better than her first Grand Slam. In January he lost in Melbourne in the first round.