US OPEN

September 4, 2021

Bianca Andreescu

Press Conference

B. ANDREESCU/G. Minnen

6-1, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: Would you give us your thoughts on the match and also your thoughts on a spectacular week 1.

BIANCA ANDREESCU: I think I played really well today. This is what I have been working towards in practice, and I'm very pleased with my return games, with my service games, with my movement on court, also with my attitude.

So I'm very happy to be past week 1.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. It really does feel like you're improving with each match, seems like things are getting more and more simple for you. How pleased are you with that? Is it something you can feel on the court?

BIANCA ANDREESCU: Yeah, it's incredible, especially like the last two matches they weren't easy, especially the first round, getting it done in those, like, conditions, you know, and Arthur Ashe and being able to get it done in two almost, I'd say, probably one of my best matches.

So it feels great.

Q. The power was impressive over the last couple of matches. Are you sensing the same amount of variety you were...

BIANCA ANDREESCU: Yeah, I think it also has to do with the opponents that I played, but also, it's just like gaining my confidence back. I think that if I can stick to like a simple game plan, then once, you know, the match progresses or the tournament progresses, I'll change it up a little bit more. You know, it has a little bit to do with both. But I feel good either way.

Q. Your career, ups and downs, we saw Naomi speak last night about her experiences here. What is it about tennis that at times has brought you happiness, unhappiness? What is it about this sport, do you think, that's such a crucible?

BIANCA ANDREESCU: I think with anything you're passionate about, it's always a love/hate relationship, because you want that thing so bad all the time, you want to be perfect. In my case, it's tennis.

A lot of the times it can be difficult when things don't go your way. You know, you get injured or Naomi had to deal with a lot, you know, with like media, social media, all that stuff.

I think that's part of the game, first of all. You have to, like, go through things, experience things to find out what really works for you, like how to deal with those things.

I think I'm still experiencing new things, and I'm just kind of like going along, because I didn't play all of 2020. You know, that was new.

And then the pandemic didn't help, as well. I'm sure a lot of athletes weren't able to be home for long periods of time, you know, staying in your hotel room day and night, you know, hotel, site, it's super draining sometimes.

I'm kind of getting lost a little bit, but I think you get the idea, right? Did I answer your question?

Q. There is a lot of ideas, yeah.

BIANCA ANDREESCU: Okay (smiling).

Q. Next you face Maria, and you had a very, very tough match against her at the Miami Open that you won. What do you consider to be the keys in facing her as you're on this roll again here at the US Open?

BIANCA ANDREESCU: I think it's going to be a great match. I'm super excited to play against her. Yeah, we had a very, very tough match in Miami. I'm sure it's going to be the same. It's not going to be easy.

You know, I kind of know what to expect a little bit, but at the same time I want to go out there not really thinking too much and looking back at our previous match. I want to stay zoned in in the present moment, and whatever she brings my way, I'll be ready.

Q. What is her biggest strength? How do you counteract it?

BIANCA ANDREESCU: She's very powerful. She serves very well. She moves well. She's a fighter.

But I'm also all those things, so it's going to be good. I'm pumped.

Q. Considering what you were just saying about love/hate relationship, what's your feeling when you come here after what you achieved? Is there a sort of love/hate relationship for you with this event or any other events?

BIANCA ANDREESCU: No, I can't say I hate it here, or I hate anything about this tournament. So far I'm loving it. I hope that it can continue like this the whole way and I can be 14-0 at the US Open (smiling). That's my goal.

Q. Keeping things simple, I wonder if improvising less may end up keeping you healthier on the court? Like making unfamiliar movements may be contributing to some of the health issues you're having. How do you balance keeping things simple without totally blocking out the more natural instincts you may have on court which have been successful?

BIANCA ANDREESCU: For me, that game is based a lot on instinct. What I'm working on then is developing that, continuing to develop that, but at the same time, I feel like my mind can be all over the place sometimes, and so having, like, three, four things to work on and to focus on during practice, during a match, has really been helping me stay focused throughout the whole thing, from A to Z.

Yeah, it's going well, so I'm not going to change anything.

Q. Have you ever experienced happiness from losing?

BIANCA ANDREESCU: Yeah, I have. I actually told my coach after my first round, usually I'm pissed, like you do not want to talk to me after I lose, but, you know, there are some matches like the first round I was going to say I would have been very satisfied. Obviously getting the win is more satisfying. But just the way I fought, the way I dealt with all the adversity, coming back at the US Open, and like a very clear mindset the way I played I was very happy.

I mean, I probably would have been pissed but not as pissed as other matches (smiling).

Q. I just wanted to ask you about Leylah Fernandez, because I saw you share on Twitter a "yes" and sort of a clap Emoji to her always believing in herself and believing she could beat Naomi Osaka and then producing that amazing performance. I don't know if you saw the match, but what did you make of her victory over Naomi last night?

BIANCA ANDREESCU: I did watch. I watched the second set and the third set, and I thought it was incredible. Leylah was playing very well. Naomi lost her cool a little bit, and I'm sure Leylah fed off of that.

But like she said in her on-court interview, she believed in herself before stepping on that court, and I'm sure she's been preparing well for this moment, so I'm very happy for her.

Q. Only Evonne Goolagong and Monica Seles have ever won their first ten career matches at the US Open. Throw that in with Rafa Nadal winning his first 31 matches at the French Open, Rod Laver winning two Wimbledon titles in his first Wimbledon appearances as a professional. Could you imagine winning your first 10 matches at any major, your first 10? If you can, just put that in perspective knowing that those names, that you may be alongside those names in terms of dominance to begin a career at a major.

BIANCA ANDREESCU: I didn't know that, actually. I know that I was 10-0, but I didn't know only a certain amount of people did that. So for me, hearing it, I feel very grateful to have accomplished that and to be alongside all those amazing players. I hope that I can continue my streak and make it two in a row.