Olympic fever is well and truly here. Played on the clay courts at Roland Garros, it’s bound to be a cracker of a tournament. Let’s take a look at World #171 and former US Open champion Bianca Andreescu as she prepares for her debut Olympics.
Bianca Andreescu Since 2019
Injuries
Since bursting onto the scene in 2019, Bianca Andreescu has suffered a torrid bill of health. After winning the Indian Wells title, the US Open, and finishing as year-end #5, the teenager seemed destined to stay at the top of the women’s game for years to come. It was at a time when a new era seemed to be emerging including the likes of herself, Naomi Osaka, and Ashleigh Barty fighting for the top prizes. Five years later and none sit in the top one hundred.
2020 was a no-show for Andreescu. After a knee injury and contracting COVID she decided to focus all her energy into a 2021 return. Yet, she was a shadow of herself in the post-pandemic season. First round losses at the French Open and Wimbledon plus a withdrawal from the Olympics meant that things were looking rather doom and gloom for the Canadian. Until now she is still to reach a Grand Slam quarterfinal since lifting the US Open trophy. If there was one shining light of that season however it was the all-time classic clash with Maria Sakkari. Sure she lost, but the quality displayed in New York that night was breathtaking.
Yet two fresh injuries in the next two seasons means that it is only now in 2024 that Andreescu has started to gather some momentum and play consistent matches. Whether she sees this as a fresh start or not is interesting, as some would wish for the clean slate while others would use returning to the top as a motivator.
A Season of Progress
Some agonizing draws have perhaps shadowed over what has been a period of consistent improvement for the former world #5. It has taken the in-form Jasmine Paolini to knock her out at both Roland Garros and Wimbledon this season. With the Italian playing the tennis of her life and reaching back-to-back Grand Slam finals there really is no shame in this. In previous weeks Andreescu had reached the Hertogenbosch final, beating a fellow professional trying to rediscover her magic Naomi Osaka. It’s no surprise that this has coincided with more confidence in the game style which brought her such success a few years ago.
Confidence and Variety
Andreescu’s unique selling point is the variety that her game brings. She is extremely versatile on both wings, can utilize flat winners, drop shots, angles and slices all to the highest of standard. Though, this can often paralyze a player when their confidence isn’t at a strong point. Too many options can mean a player doesn’t know what to do. Andreescu already has the evidence that when she gets in that sweet spot she is unplayable. She is truly a joy to watch in her element and can mesmerize any tennis crowd. It’s about leaning into that disguised variety but doing so with a purpose. It’s a hard balance to find.
Clay
So it leaves us wondering whether she can bring that all-conquering pre-pandemic game to Paris, or whether it’ll be another steady step in the right direction. Critics would point out that even in the strong points of her career she hasn’t managed to succeed on clay. However, she only needs to look at the woman who has set her packing home in the last two slams. Heading into this year’s Wimbledon, Jasmine Paolini owned a 100% losing streak at Wimbledon, only to go on and reach the final.
Of course, a Silver or Gold Medal at Paris is probably a stretch for Andreescu but with her game out print, you have to say it should actually suit the clay. Variety and touch always help on a surface where powerful hitting can often be neutralized.
So expectations-wise it’s a tough one. Iga Swiatek will be such a heavy favorite, but with Aryna Sabalenka set to miss out, the draw remains relatively open. We don’t have enough long-term data to rely on Paolini to produce her exploits once more, Barbora Krejcikova shows inconsistency at the best of times, Elena Rybakina at Roland Garros has never been a match made in heaven, and Coco Gauff’s forehand remains fragile on occasion.
As always, the draw will be crucial, but for Andreescu’s first Olympics, she must focus on playing with confidence and variety and continuing to make steps in the right direction.
Main Photo Credit: Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
