Andreescu’s U.S. Open win an inspiration in many ways
Re Theo Moudakis, editorial cartoon, Sept. 10 What a feat for Bianca Andreescu. With audacity and prowess, she became the first Canadian to win a Grand Slam title. Let’s hope she inspires more than just little blond girls.
I’m writing because the cartoon is the ever-typical response to any greatness by women whose accomplishments can and do inspire boys, girls, women and men from all across Canada. Let’s start reflecting that breadth of influence in our media comments, public kudos and celebratory cartoons. Catherine Lake, Toronto Before our Sunday service began this past weekend, our parish priest, an American who has a great sense of humour, stood at the dais to commend and congratulate our young tennis phenom Bianca Andreescu. He then surprised all of us by reaching into his shirt pocket to pull out a tiny Canadian flag then waved it to us and announced: “WE SURRENDER!” Lots of laughter and applause ensued to everyone’s delight. Douglas Peters, North York When one thinks of greatness, if not genius, so many parallels can be drawn by those who are in that selective group. Amadeus Mozart easily comes to mind; a young child rubbing shoulders with royalty, the famous and the great in touring the noble courts of Europe. The same may said of Bianca Andreescu in courts of a different name, yet demonstrating that not dissimilar natural skill so far beyond her years in the sport of tennis.
Mozart, at 7, was doing that as a talented purveyor of his gift of music: a prodigy no less. The same may well be said of Andreescu, who at 19, did something no other Canadian could ever do in winning the prestigious crown of the women’s U.S. Open at Arthur Ashe stadium, indeed a mammoth tennis venue with royalty that may also be said to epitomize greatness and passion for the game at its highest pinnacle. So hats off to this remarkable young lady, who may easily become the very face of women’s tennis. The beauty of it all is that she comes across as a humble servant of her craft. Claude McDonald, Kitchener I mean no disrespect. And, like everyone else in our country, I am thrilled for Bianca Andreescu — and for all of Canada.
But I am trying to understand why she is referred to as the first Canadian to win a Grand Slam. What about Daniel Nestor, who won four Grand Slam mixed doubles titles? I am old enough to remember when he won his first Grand Slam and an Olympic gold medal.
In fairness, and out of respect for Nestor, Andreescu is the first Canadian woman to win a Grand Slam, and the first Canadian to win a singles Grand Slam, but she is not the first Canadian to win a Grand Slam. Angela Carroll, Toronto I was astounded to see the full-page ad taken out by Rogers in Tuesday’s Star that said “When you dream big, anything is possible.”
Absolutely true, though in Rogers’ eyes, apparently, a woman’s dream is worth less than half the value of a man’s dream, as so clearly witnessed at the Rogers Cup a mere four weeks ago when the company handed the female winner less than half of what the male winner received.
A proud partner? More like an audacious, hypocritical hanger-on, looking to see how you can fill your already-bulging coffers on the back of a woman. I challenge Rogers to listen to its own words and “make more possible.” Matthew Marosszeky, Aurora