'I broke the curse': The dramatic fall and resurgence of a teenage Grand Slam champion

In September 2019, Bianca Andreescu stood triumphant on the center court of Arthur Ashe Stadium, hoisting the US Open trophy as glittering confetti rained down around her. At just 19 years old, the Canadian had just defeated tennis legend Serena Williams, reaching the absolute zenith of her sport. In that euphoric moment, Andreescu could not have predicted that more than 2,300 days would pass before she captured another title. Furthermore, she likely did not foresee that her next victory would come with a prize of just $3,000 (£2,200)—a mere fraction of the 0.1% represented by the $3.9m (£2.9m) she earned from her Flushing Meadows triumph.

She certainly did not anticipate a return to the lower echelons of professional tennis, a world far removed from the luxury of free towels and ball retrieval services provided at the highest levels. Yet, following a prolonged period of injuries, the Canadian player chose this path to rebuild a career that had once seemed so promising. Her US Open win had been the crown jewel of a remarkable year that also saw her claim titles at Indian Wells and the Canadian Open in her native Toronto, launching her up the global rankings and announcing her arrival on the international stage.

However, the subsequent trajectory of her career took a sharp downward turn. A knee injury forced a hiatus at the beginning of 2020, and the global pandemic soon paused the tennis calendar entirely. When Andreescu finally returned to the court in February 2021, it marked her first match in 16 months. She has since admitted that she was ill-prepared for the pressures of life following a Grand Slam victory.

"I don't think it's possible to really prepare yourself [for a Grand Slam victory], especially if you haven't gone through that before, but I wish I had a little bit more guidance after the US Open," Andreescu, now 25, told BBC Sport. "You think you know everything at 19, and I just remember I'm not one to ever ask for help, but I am a little bit better at that now. So maybe if I did, things would have been different."

Her current coach, Dusan Vemic, noted the rapid maturation Andreescu underwent during this period. "She had to grow up fast from a carefree teenager to a young woman that she is now," Vemic explained. "You have a different outlook, different points of view on challenges or fun stuff. Being a tennis player, being an athlete, you suddenly have a different role. You become a role model for many youngsters."

Physically, Andreescu has been hampered by a series of ailments, including abdominal and ankle issues that kept her sidelined for significant stretches. Her 2025 season was further delayed by surgery to remove her appendix. Consequently, her competitive form declined, and she has not advanced past the fourth round of a Grand Slam since her 2019 US Open win. Her world ranking plummeted from a peak of number four in 2019 to 228 earlier this year.

In early 2026, Andreescu made the strategic decision to return to the ITF circuit, an environment she had not competed in since 2018. This move involved leaving the WTA Tour for the lower-tier ITF circuit, where rankings range from W15 (the lowest level) up to W100. Andreescu has been participating in W35 and W75 events, where the total prize money for a W35 tournament is approximately £26,000. The ITF field is typically composed of young players aiming to establish themselves, women struggling to break into the WTA, or veterans attempting to regain their previous form.

While the ITF circuit may feature smaller crowds and fewer line judges, the on-court intensity remains high. Andreescu emphasized the fierce competition she encountered. "The hunger the women had that I was playing against, every match was so difficult, and I feel like maybe on the WTA Tour, the athletes are maybe a bit more comfortable with certain things," she said. "Certain things are getting paid for [on the WTA Tour]. But on that [ITF] level, nothing's getting paid for, and you're barely breaking even. I was there too at one point, so I know how it is."

She was quick to correct any misconceptions about the status of the lower tours. "I don't want people to get the idea that the ITF tour is Mickey Mouse compared to the WTA Tour, because that's not the case. I feel a lot of admiration and respect for the women that continue to grind on the tour, because it's not easy, even on the WTA Tour, it's just not easy."

Vemic, who joined Andreescu’s coaching team in September 2025, shared this perspective. "Every player there needs to prove themselves and everyone is hungry and they're not bored of playing many years on tour," he stated, highlighting the renewed motivation found at this level of the sport.

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