"I broke the curse" - The decline and resurgence of a teen Grand Slam victor

In September 2019, Bianca Andreescu stood atop Arthur Ashe Stadium, the US Open trophy raised high as shimmering confetti drifted down around her. The 19-year-old had just defeated the legendary Serena Williams, reaching the absolute zenith of her sport. At that moment, she could never have imagined that she would have to wait more than 2,300 days for her next title win. Nor could she have predicted that her subsequent victory would carry a prize of just $3,000 (£2,200)—a sum representing less than 0.1% of the $3.9m (£2.9m) she had earned at Flushing Meadows.

It is unlikely she foresaw a return to the lower echelons of professional tennis, a realm devoid of complimentary towels where athletes frequently retrieve their own balls. However, after enduring years of physical setbacks, the Canadian player chose this path to reconstruct a career that had once seemed boundless. Her triumph at the US Open crowned a stellar year that also featured titles at Indian Wells and the Canadian Open in her native Toronto, rocketing her up the global rankings. She had firmly announced her presence on the world stage, but soon thereafter, complications arose.

A knee injury forced a hiatus at the beginning of 2020, followed by the global suspension of the tennis calendar due to the pandemic. When she finally stepped onto the court in February 2021, it marked her first appearance in 16 months. Andreescu acknowledges that she was ill-equipped for the realities of life as a Grand Slam champion.

"I don't think it's possible to truly prepare yourself [for a Grand Slam victory], particularly if you haven't experienced it before, but I wish I had received more guidance following the US Open," Andreescu, now 25, told BBC Sport. "At 19, you believe you understand everything. I recall that I was never one to seek assistance, but I have become more adept at that now. Perhaps if I had asked for help, the outcome might have been different."

Her current coach, Dusan Vemic, noted the rapid maturation required of the athlete. "She had to grow up quickly, transitioning from a carefree teenager to the young woman she is today," he explained. "You develop a different perspective on challenges and leisure. As a tennis player and athlete, your role shifts; you suddenly become a role model for many young people."

Injuries plagued Andreescu throughout this period. Abdominal and ankle issues kept her off the court, and her 2025 season was postponed due to appendectomy surgery. Her performance declined, and she has not advanced past the fourth round of a Grand Slam since her US Open win. Consequently, her ranking plummeted from a career-high of world number four in 2019 to 228 earlier this year.

In early 2026, Andreescu decided to return to an environment she had not accessed since 2018, moving from the WTA Tour to the ITF circuit. The ITF ranking system ranges from W15, the lowest tier, to W100. Andreescu competed in W35 and W75 events, where the total prize pool for a W35 tournament is approximately £26,000. The ITF tour is typically populated by aspiring youngsters, women who could not break into the WTA, or players attempting to regain their former form. While crowds are sparse and line judges are uncommon, the on-court competition remains intense.

"The hunger in the women I faced was palpable; every match was incredibly difficult," Andreescu observed. "I feel that on the WTA Tour, athletes might be somewhat more comfortable with certain aspects. Some things are compensated for [on the WTA Tour]. But at that [ITF] level, nothing is paid for, and you are barely breaking even. I was in that position once, so I understand the reality."

"I do not want anyone to perceive the ITF tour as a 'Mickey Mouse' operation compared to the WTA Tour, because that is inaccurate," she added. "I feel a deep admiration and respect for the women who continue to struggle on that tour, because it is not easy, just as it is not easy on the WTA Tour."

Vemic, who joined Andreescu’s coaching team in September 2025, shared this sentiment. "Every player there needs to prove themselves; everyone is hungry and not bored from playing many years on tour," he said. "They are all dr

Source: BBC News Generated at: 2026-05-19 07:34:27 UTC