“The new Ash Barty” Bianca Andreescu opens up on how Iga Swiatek has been a massive motivation for her
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Bianca Andreescu, Ash Barty, Iga Swiatek
World No. 72 at the moment, Bianca Andreescu will return to Grand Slam action for the first time this season having skipped the Australian Open due to her small break from the sport. The Canadian was outside the Top-100 due to the break but has made good progress to enter the Top-80 and a good run at the 2022 French Open could push her further up in the charts.
Andreescu, a major winner at the 2019 US Open is looking for her first Grand Slam final since then as she did not play any Grand Slam in the 2020 season and suffered early losses in all majors in the 2021 season except for the 2021 US Open where she reached the 4th round. As she returns to Paris for the French Open, she talked about the current World No. 1 Iga Swiatek.
Iga rose to the World No. 1 spot after the sudden retirement of Ash Barty and there were doubts whether the 20-year old could lead the Tour. The Pole has however dominated the WTA Tour this season having won 5 consecutive titles including 4 WTA-1000 titles with an ongoing 28-match winning streak, the fourth-longest streak of this century.
“She’s definitely setting a high precedent right now. For me at least it’s very motivating. She’s like the new Ashleigh Barty of the tour, because Ashleigh was winning a lot, as well. It’s very motivating. I’m very impressed with how she’s doing. I still feel that I’m young.
“But at the same time when I do see players like Coco Gauff, Emma Raducanu, Iga (Swiatek), she’s younger than me, I feel like I’m getting older. So it’s a good reality check to put me in my place, like, ‘Come on, your time is slowly running out’ which is good in a way,” said Andreescu speaking in her press conference at the Media Day at the Roland Garros.
Bianca Andreescu’s record at the French Open
Bianca played in the Stade Roland Garros for the first time in 2017 where she lost in the qualifying round. She tried her luck next year again but could not reach the main-draw. She reached the main-draw for the first time in 2019 but had to hand a walkover prior to her second-round match. In the 2021 French Open, she lost in the first round to eventual semi-finalist Tamara Zidansek in 3-sets to have a 3-3 record at the major. Bianca starts her campaign this year against Ysaline Bonaventure.
Also Read: “I was very worried”- Naomi Osaka admits apprehension ahead of her return at the French Open 2022
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Sarthak Shitole
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