Visualisation becomes real for Canadian teenager Andreescu
INDIAN WELLS: Bianca Andreescu had thought herself a champion many times. Now it’s true.
The 18-year-old Canadian, who practises visualisation every morning, upset three-time Major champion Angelique Kerber 6-4, 3-6, 6-4 in 2 hours and 18 minutes to win the BNP Paribas Open on Sunday.
She became the first wild-card winner and second-youngest, since 17-year-old Serena Williams in 1999, to claim the title in the tournament’s history. She is also the youngest finalist since Kim Clijsters, one of Andreescu’s childhood idols, reached the final in 2001 at age 17. “The fricking champion of Indian Wells,” Andreescu said. “It’s crazy.”
Not so crazy if you observed all the shots and grit that she had to summon under pressure to defeat top players and win one of the most prestigious titles in tennis.
She overcame nerves, fatigue, arm and leg issues in the final set to earn the first title of her career. Andreescu won on her fourth match point when Kerber netted a backhand. She broke Kerber three times in the third set, rallying from a 3-2 deficit to take four of the final five games.
THE CELEBRATION Andreescu dropped her racket near the baseline and fell on her back, her legs in the air as she covered her face in disbelief. After getting up and exchanging kisses with Kerber, the teen bent down and kissed the sunbaked hard court and dropped to her back again, her arms and legs splayed, before grabbing her head.
“This moment has become a reality so it’s really, really crazy,” Andreescu told the crowd before speaking a bit of Romanian. Born in Canada, she later moved with her parents to Romania, where she first started playing tennis.
Kerber was the last of five seeded players that Andreescu knocked off in her seven matches. Le a d i n g 2 - 1 in the third, Andreescu took a medical timeout and had a trainer massage her tight right shoulder and arm. Kerber won the next two games, breaking Andreescu to go up 3-2. Appearing tired and nervous, Andreescu called for her coach, who urged her to make Kerber play every point. She did just that.
Andreescu won the next three games, ripping off powerful forehands while winning nine straight points during one stretch, including a 40-love service game. “I just fought till the end because physically I wasn’t feeling too well,” she said.
OSAKA’S FOOTSTEPS?
The Canadian followed in the footsteps of Naomi Osaka, who was a little-known 20-year-old when she won the title last year. Osaka used it as a springboard to win titles at the US and Australian Opens while ascending to the No 1 ranking in January.
“No pressure,” Andreescu joked when asked about Osaka and then added: “Yeah, it’s definitely an inspiration seeing her claim the trophy last year, and winning two Grand Slams right after that has been amazing to see. But I don’t really want to focus on the future right now. I just want to enjoy this moment, because I don’t want to take anything for granted. You never know what the next week brings. I just want to savor this.”
Andreescu rose 36 spots to No 24 in the WTA Tour rankings on Monday. Kerber, ranked fourth, remained without a title since winning Wimbledon last year. This was Kerber’s 29th final on tour, and Andreescu’s second. Kerber had won more than $27 million (around ~185 crore) in career prize money; Andreescu had won just $350,000 (~2.4 crore).
“Hopefully, this moment can be a great inspiration for many young athletes because, like I always say, if you believe in yourself, anything is possible,” Andreescu said.
FEARLESS TENNIS
T h e c r o wd a l s o e n j o y e d Andreescu’s fearless style of play and chanted “Let’s go, Bianca! Let’s go”. She alternately outpunched opponents from the baseline, tossed up high-arching shots and unleashed well-time drop shots — usually during the same point.
A smiling Andreescu was quick to correct a reporter. “It’s not moonballing,” she said. “It’s just hitting heavy to her backhand with more spin. We’re not under-12 here.”