In tennis, momentum can be fleeting. One moment a player is dominating the tour, the next they’re sidelined by injuries, trying to rebuild. Bianca Andreescu has lived both realities. Just a few years ago, she was considered one of the sport’s brightest stars, even having a positive record against Serena Williams. Now, after several long breaks from competition, she’s working toward a full comeback.
Andreescu was born in Canada and spent part of her childhood in Romania, where she started playing tennis. Her early promise was clear, and she climbed the junior rankings quickly before turning professional.
By her late teens, she was already making waves on the WTA Tour. With a bold playing style and a strong mindset, she stood out as someone capable of competing with the game’s best. But injuries and personal struggles slowed her rise.
Over the past few seasons, Andreescu has missed major tournaments and spent long periods away from the court. Despite those setbacks, she hasn’t lost sight of what she’s capable of.
Her breakthrough: Beating Serena Williams and making Canadian history
Andreescu’s 2019 US Open victory over Serena Williams was a historic moment for Canadian tennis. She became the first player from Canada to win a Grand Slam singles title and the first to win the Canadian Open in 50 years. Her wins over Williams, first in Toronto, then in New York, made headlines around the world. At Flushing Meadows, she held her nerve in a packed Arthur Ashe Stadium to defeat one of the game’s greatest champions 6-3, 7-5.
She also won the Indian Wells Open earlier that season, becoming the first wildcard to take the title. That same year, she finished the season ranked World No. 5, despite missing some time due to injury. Her aggressive, varied style and willingness to mix pace and spin earned her fans and praise from tennis commentators worldwide.
Injuries, surgery, and a long road back
But just as quickly as she rose, Andreescu began to face serious setbacks. A knee injury sidelined her for all of 2020. She returned to the tour in 2021 but struggled to regain consistency. In 2023 and 2024, a stress fracture in her back kept her out for nearly a year.
Then, in early 2025, she underwent emergency surgery for appendicitis, ruling her out of the Australian Open. “The surgery went smoothly, and I’m on the road to recovery,” she wrote on Instagram, later adding that she hoped to return during the clay season.
Injuries have tested not just her body but her mindset. In interviews, Andreescu has spoken openly about how much she has learned about herself during time away from the sport. In 2024, she told The New York Times, “Honestly, I’ve learned more through injuries than through actually playing tennis.”
Andreescu also spent time away from the game exploring other interests. She went on a spiritual retreat in Costa Rica, practiced yoga, and volunteered with animal rescue and women’s shelters. She has said that tennis is no longer her entire identity and that her new approach to life has helped her manage the mental side of the sport.
As the 2025 season unfolds, fans are eager to see whether Bianca Andreescu can once again channel the brilliance that made her a Grand Slam champion.