Home

Tennis

“Mentally, She’s a Rock” – Martina Navratilova Backs Bianca Andreescu Ahead of US Open 2021

Published 08/29/2021, 9:49 AM EDT

Follow Us

USA Today via Reuters

While Eugenie Bouchard stays away from the tennis court, Bianca Andreescu carries Canada’s flag high on the WTA Tour. Ranked #7 in the world, the 21-year-old has enjoyed remarkable success, which includes a stunning Grand Slam victory in the 2019 US Open.

Although she is enduring a torrid 2021, she comes into the US Open 2021 as the sixth seed. Ahead of the opening round of the final Grand Slam of the year, former World No. 1 Martina Navratilova described the Canadian.

Martina Navratilova calls Bianca Andreescu an “enigma”

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Since turning pro in 2017, Andreescu moved to the top of women’s tennis on the back of an impressive 2019. After impressing in several tournaments, Andreescu, then just 19 years of age, defeated Serena Williams in the final of the US Open. This made her the first Canadian to win a Grand Slam title, which saw her rise to a career-best World No. 4 in the WTA Rankings.

While injuries plagued her season last year, she endured a difficult set of tournaments in 2021. The 21-year-old failed to reach the quarterfinals of any Grand Slam tournament this year despite featuring in the top 10 seeds. In fact, the last time she competed in a final was at the Miami Open, where she lost to World No. 1 Ashleigh Barty.

Trending

Get instantly notified of the hottest Tennis stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.

Follow Us

USA Today via Reuters

During a recent interview, Navratilova mentioned how the Canadian possesses great mental toughness. Despite calling her an enigma, the 18-time Grand Slam champion hoped she could cope with the physically in the next two weeks.

She said“Enigma. She looks so sturdy, but she’s so vulnerable. Mentally, I think she’s a rock, but I hope her body holds up.”

Who Are Bianca Andreescu’s Parents?

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Andreescu to face Viktorija Golubic in her opener at the US Open

The Canadian takes on the unseeded Swiss player for the first time in her career. Although she has struggled throughout this year, Andreescu should face little problems in beating Golubic to advance in the tournament.

USA Today via Reuters

Their match will take place on Tuesday, August 31 in the Arthur Ashe Stadium at 9:00pm local time.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

WATCH STORY: Serena Williams, Maria Sharapova, Bianca Andreescu, and Other Tennis Stars Who Featured in ‘The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon’

SHARE THIS ARTICLE :

Written by:

Sanket Nair

878Articles

One take at a time

Sanket Nair is an F1 Author at EssentiallySports. A Sports Management graduate, he is a huge fan of Sebastian Vettel and Daniel Ricciardo and hopes to see Red Bull break Mercedes' dominance and win the World Championship soon. Sanket has been hooked to the sport ever since he watched the battle for the 2010 World Championship go down to the wire at the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix.
Show More>