Defeating Serena Williams was the dream of many. But for Bianca Andreescu, it turned into reality at the 2019 US Open final. What helped her achieve such a huge success? Well, it’s her fearless approach to the game. Shedding light on her mindset while playing against Williams, the 23-year-old recalled her epic win against the American on her home ground!
The U.S. Open final of 2019 was not just a match but a clash of generations. With a score of 6-3, 7-5, Bianca Andreescu not only showed her prowess against the former World No. 1, but she also achieved her first Grand Slam victory. And she was only 19 years old back then! Recalling this historic moment in her career, during The Tennis Letter Podcast, she said, “Told myself to fuck it.”
Further adding to it, Bianca Andreescu continued, “I did everything I could at that point. Um, but it’s obviously different looking back, because back then I had no pressure I was just you know, a kid like climbing up the ladder and I was just having fun out there.”
However, her victory at the match went beyond her “having fun,” as she became the first teenager to win a Grand Slam since Sharapova in 2006. However, on the other hand, Williams surprisingly had a tough time struggling with her serve and even double-faulted three times. And soon, the then-37-year-old faced a defeat against Bianca Andreescu. But, like a true champion, Williams came to her after the defeat and shared some kind words with her.
However, for the Canadian player, this victory remained etched in her memory forever, “I mean going back and watching that match over and over again and it’s really nice to know that I have that under my belt, like no one can ever take that away from me,” she concluded. However, amid the intense match, Andreescu mentioned one thing that bothered her.
Bianca Andreescu confessed how she “was blocking out the noise” during her match against Williams
Bianca Andreescu’s first-ever victory against Serena Williams was “not easy”. Especially as she battled against a player who had by then already achieved 6 U.S. Open titles! Therefore, the crowd that was used to watching Williams win roared in her support. And this became a problem for Andreescu.
She later admitted, “I was blocking out the noise, or trying to. I could barely hear myself think really. It was really, really loud. But I guess that’s what makes this tournament so special.” Andreescu continued, “I just tried to stay as composed as I could. It’s hard to just block everything out, but I think I did a pretty good job at that.”
And even after almost five years of that victory, Bianca Andreescu still considers it a pivotal moment in her career. The former World No. 4 still draws inspiration from that victory and continues to progress in her career.
