THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

June 30, 2022

Bianca Andreescu

Press Conference

E. RYBAKINA/B. Andreescu

6-4, 7-6

THE MODERATOR: Your initial thoughts on today's match.

BIANCA ANDREESCU: I think it was a well-fought match from the both of us. I feel like she took her opportunities a bit more than I did.

She was serving well. I wasn't serving at my best. But, you know, I did what I could today.

And, yeah, that's it.

THE MODERATOR: Questions.

Q. Anything surprise you about her game?

BIANCA ANDREESCU: Yeah, I didn't expect for her serve to be that good. Well, I don't want to say that. I try not to have expectations, but, you know, when you watch people play on TV versus actually playing them, it can be different. On TV, it didn't seem...

But she did play well, and she was getting to a bunch of balls. She was pretty solid, both sides. She played a really great match.

Q. Seems like emotional on the tiebreak, that you look at your team.

BIANCA ANDREESCU: Yeah, I mean, she hit some shots on the line. There was one bad bounce. I was kind of looking at them, like laughing in a way, like, Of course that happens.

But, yeah, I mean, I really wanted it. I really, really did.

But today just wasn't my day. I feel like the universe just keeps testing me, but I'm not going to let up.

Q. Is it tough to get a rhythm against her? She is going for everything? Was it an issue because maybe you needed to get more into this match? The kind of match you feel like you haven't played really...

BIANCA ANDREESCU: Yeah, that is kind of how it feels, because it can be very erratic, especially on her service games.

But like I said, I had to adapt as well in my match, but I think that, you know, I did what I could, really.

I know that next time I go into the match I'll definitely be more prepared. But, yeah, she deserves it.

Q. When you broke back in the second set, you found something there, it was a bit tough to keep up? Being more aggressive or really trying to push her maybe?

BIANCA ANDREESCU: Yeah, well, for instance in that situation, I took my chance, because she wasn't putting a lot of first serves in the court, and, yeah, kind of just going for my shots a bit more. Even her second serves weren't the best, either. Like I said, she was serving well.

Yeah, hopefully next time I can be even more aggressive.

Q. Are you generally where you would want to be, like just a couple months into your comeback?

BIANCA ANDREESCU: I didn't expect to be at this stage, actually, a couple months ago. So I'm super happy. Obviously it's disappointing, because, you know, you're at a Grand Slam, you want to do really well.

But yeah, I have just got to keep working. I worked out for about an hour after my match, and no days off. Just going to keep working.

Q. What is the major difference between the girl you were when you won the US Open and the woman you are now?

BIANCA ANDREESCU: Well, when I was 19 I legit put zero pressure on my back and I just enjoyed playing the game. I didn't really expect anything from it. I had the confidence to, you know, say, I know I'm going to win this match.

It's not like I don't have that now, but it's different. People know you now, and they expect more from you. You know, I try not to really focus on that, but sometimes it's hard.

Obviously for me, like, I know where I was. Now not being there is hard, and sometimes I feel like I am still too hard on myself.

Because I can't win everything. I mean, 2019 was absolutely unbelievable, but I'm sure it's going to come soon. I have just got to continue to prepare and, you know, cultivate, like, good habits, continue learning.

Yeah. That's kind of it.

Q. Are you able to empathize with Emma with what she went through?

BIANCA ANDREESCU: Oh, yeah.

Q. Especially here in Britain.

BIANCA ANDREESCU: Yeah, I watched that match, and I know it's probably not the same, but like you can -- I mean, I can tell a little bit, because that's how I felt last year. I didn't play in 2020, so like coming back was in 2021. You want it so badly, and you know that you can do well.

So maybe that pressure from yourself and from other people can kind of get in the way of that instead of just playing to win and playing freely, like you did up until that point, you know.

But I'm sure she's going to find her rhythm. I'm sure she has a great team around her. Yeah.

Q. When did you decide to work out after that match? Was it scheduled like this?

BIANCA ANDREESCU: It was. Win or lose I was going to work out anyways. I think my fitness trainer pushed me just a little bit harder. I still feel it in my legs.

Yeah, I was like crying, too, while I was doing my squats. It wasn't pretty (smiling).

You know, in the back of my head I told myself, This is the only way.

Q. Obviously you have spoken about really your great triumphs and many struggles. You said the universe is testing you. In your own way, what do you think about that? What do you reflect on and deal with that in terms of the universe testing you?

BIANCA ANDREESCU: Yeah. Hmm. It's not always easy, but at the end of the day I know that if I continue to believe and have faith that good things will come. If I continue to do the right thing on and off the court, just be myself and continue to work hard -- because for me this game, it's like a constant learning process. If you stop learning, then, I mean, at least for me, I don't play well.

That's either, you know, reading books on self-improvement or watching my opponents' or future opponents' matches and really study them. I feel like I'm doing all of that.

So right now I think I just need to have the patience and continue to have the courage to, you know, do all these things, even if I lose, then, you know, if I do these things I think, you know, I'll get some gifts from the universe basically (smiling).

Q. Latest self-improvement books are...

BIANCA ANDREESCU: "The Alchemist." "The Gifts of Imperfection." Really love that.

Q. Even before you won the US Open you had some injury things. 2020 was not very good. You seem to be 100% fit now. You lost today, but how much is that...

BIANCA ANDREESCU: It's amazing. I know that two years ago I would not be able to work out after a match, for instance. I'd just be too tired. I'd push myself, but the strength and the flexibility and all of that is really, really showing, and for me, that's so amazing. I go to bed every night, and I wake up every morning just being so thankful.

Yeah, like, that's -- like I think we are good on that. Now it's like, how do I start winning continuously again?

Q. Tournaments for the rest of the summer, what do you think?

BIANCA ANDREESCU: I will be in San Jose, Toronto, Cincinnati, and then US Open.