PARIS | Bianca Andreescu’s life has changed since she became the 2019 US Open champion by defeating queen Serena Williams. She became an instant star at 19.
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And although she struggled afterwards, having taken long breaks due to injuries and for the sake of her mental health, the Ontarian continues to draw crowds when she plays, as seen The newspaper at Roland Garros.
Fans love his combative side and his spectacular comebacks to win in three rounds.
“People like it, but it’s hard for the coach and the family, admits his coach Christophe Lambert, met after his protege’s first mixed doubles match. But we know she can always get away with it. This is also the case in everyday life, there are ups and downs. This type of game makes her likeable. For other players, we’re just going to focus on the fact that they don’t lose. Bianca exudes something that attracts people.
Generous
His endearing and genuine personality also allows him to expand his fan base.
“She has a lot of empathy and people feel it, continues the 57-year-old Frenchman. They feel that he is a good person. When they ask her for autographs, she always takes her time to do so. Not all players do that.
“One of my goals is to be a role model, to have a good influence on others,” Andreescu said. Tennis is a hobby for people and most of the time I manage to give them a good show. They like it. I can interact with them, ask them to encourage me. It seems to make them happy and I find it sympathetic.
That was not the case in the third round on Saturday, however, as nothing worked out for the former world No. 4 against Ukraine’s Lesia Tsurenko, 66.e, who eliminated her in two identical short sets of 6-1. But earlier in the tournament, she had laughed with the crowd and even with a referee, who had removed dirt from her back using a towel. She feeds on this energy.
“When she doesn’t communicate with the people on the ground, you know it won’t be a good day,” says Lambert. I feel it right away. When she’s not looking at people, when she’s not giving a little smile when she’s doing a little stupid thing, it wouldn’t be a good day.”
Photo Mylene Richard
Christophe Lambert, coach of Bianca Andreescu, met at Roland-Garros.
Atmosphere with Kyrgios
For Lambert, Bianca often puts on a good show and he doesn’t understand why she isn’t invited more often to exhibition tournaments or promotional activities. However, in Dubai at the start of the season, she burned the boards playing with the Australian Nick Kyrgios.
“There were dancers on the court and when they went to sit down, Bianca got up. [pour aller jouer], but it was too soon, so instead of going to sit down, she started dancing with people. Everyone appreciated it, ”says the former coach at Tennis Canada.
Canadian women excel in doubles
Andreescu and Gabriela Dabrowski could face each other in the mixed doubles semi-final at Roland-Garros. The two Ontarians savored a second-round victory on Sunday; Andreescu on a regular basis with New Zealander Michael Venus, while Dabrowski and his American partner Nathaniel Lammons took advantage of the withdrawal of their opponents of the day. Briton Jamie Murray has reportedly suffered from food poisoning.
But before facing each other, the Canadians will have to win their quarter-final. The champion at Roland-Garros in 2017 will also play it on Monday, after having crossed swords in women’s doubles with Quebecer Leylah Annie Fernandez. The latter teams up with the American Townsend, and they are ranked 10are favorites.
As for Dabrowski, she and Brazilian Luisa Stefani are the number 8 seeds.
▶ Moreover, it was the entry on the scene of the only representative of the maple leaf among the juniors, Keegan Rice. The 16-year-old Saskatchewanian, who trains at the National Center in Montreal, defeated 17-year-old Frenchman Théo Papamalamis, 7-6 (2) 6-3. Rice therefore did better than at her first Grand Slam. In January, in Melbourne, he lost in the first round.