AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 16, 2023

Bianca Andreescu

Press Conference

B. ANDREESCU/M. Bouzkova

6-1, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Thank you, Bianca. Congratulations on your first round win. Just tell us what it's like to get your Australian campaign off to a winning start.

BIANCA ANDREESCU: I think I played very solid today. Marie did pose a challenge, but I'm just very grateful with how I dealt with that challenge. I was very focused from A to Z, and that's how I want to play every match basically, so hopefully I can keep the momentum.

THE MODERATOR: Questions in the room.

Q. You started like a rocket the first couple of games. Is that something to do with the fact that you wanted to break that streak of 12 in a row?

BIANCA ANDREESCU: (Laughing) I mean, I was very motivated considering my last match. I definitely didn't want to give her any room to kind of come back. That's what I did against Kudermetova in Adelaide. Yeah, I definitely didn't want to keep it going (laughing).

Q. Your reaction at the end was sort of pretty low-key. Do you feel like you're getting to a point where these kinds of matches can be business as usual, or...

BIANCA ANDREESCU: Not necessarily. I feel like everyone now on tour is very -- like, the level is very balanced I would say. It was kind of a relief because I was pretty nervous towards the end, so I guess it was a relief reaction.

Like, I wanted show something more, but at the same time I couldn't. I was just super happy to kind of get through. Especially not being able to play in the second week of Adelaide, having this match under my belt hopefully will help me keep that momentum going, like I said, to the next matches.

Q. From the outside that looked like one of your best Grand Slam performances since 2019. How did it feel to you in those terms?

BIANCA ANDREESCU: Yeah, I think it was definitely very solid. Having these kind of matches really help with my confidence because it was kind of just very level throughout the whole match. There weren't any ups and downs, which can kind of happen in my matches, so I'm just very, very happy with how it turned out.

Q. Can you talk about your association with Christophe, your new coach, what he brings to you? And, also, he told us earlier that you understand a bit of French.

BIANCA ANDREESCU: Here we go again (laughing). He is exposing me. If I don't speak French by the National Bank Open, it's because of my team because they both speak French. So, yeah, if I don't, it's their fault (smiling).

But he is great. He is hilarious. Also, Jeanpierre, they've known each or for, like, 30, 35 years. So the communication is really good, and that's really what I want in a team. And they make everything kind of relaxed and laid-back because tennis can be very stressful.

But Christophe is a great coach. He has a lot of knowledge, and he has coached me before, so he knows me inside and out basically. I feel like the past couple of years have been a bit hectic, so he is kind of just keeping things grounded and keeping things simple, so I'm really, really liking it.

Q. How is it like playing the first match on Day One rather than, say, the last match or any other match, for that matter?

BIANCA ANDREESCU: For me it doesn't really make any difference. I mean, if I did lose, then it would kind of suck to be kind of considered the first one out. That's kind of the only thing I really thought about.

But to me it doesn't really matter. I actually really like playing first, especially here in Melbourne because it usually gets hotter later in the day, which is weird. So, yeah, it's fine.

Q. You talked about nerves and relief there at the end. Where did that come from?

BIANCA ANDREESCU: Me just really wanting to win. At the end of the day I want to win every match. I know that's not a reality. There will definitely be lots of losses. But yeah, just having a match like this, I keep saying it, under my belt, especially in a Grand Slam, hopefully will just keep my momentum going.

Yeah, I'm just super excited (laughing). I have nothing bad to say about my match. I'm very, very happy.

Q. When you say the last couple of years were hectic was the word you used, what are you referring to exactly?

BIANCA ANDREESCU: I guess in my head it was very hectic, and some things around me as well have been kind of on edge, but now I finally feel like everything is harmonized. I guess that's a good word to put.

Q. The temperature will move a lot in the next few days. Very warm, very cold. What's your ideal temperature for your style of play and your comfort on court?

BIANCA ANDREESCU: Yeah, I definitely don't like when it's very humid because I sweat a lot. So dry heat is nice. I mean, how it was this morning was really good. I did hear that tomorrow is going to be really hot, so I'm happy I'm not playing tomorrow (laughing).

Q. Cristina Busca, I don't think you've ever played her.

BIANCA ANDREESCU: No.

Q. Do you know anything about her?

BIANCA ANDREESCU: Yeah, I've watched some of her matches. She's a grinder. I know she gets to a lot of balls. She's a fighter out there, and I'm definitely going to do some more investigating tonight and tomorrow with my coach.

But, I mean, we're in a Grand Slam. There's no easy matches, that's for sure.

Q. Just picking up on your very evident excitement, when was the last time you felt sort of this excited about where you're at?

BIANCA ANDREESCU: Good question. I would say Guadalajara I really liked how I played my first-round match. I definitely wasn't as excited, I would say.

And, also, let's see, Rome. I think I played really well in Rome, minus losing to Iga 6-0 in the second set. I had a good first set, but that match really -- because it was, I think, my second or third tournament back, so having that under my belt, being able to compete with Iga was really, really great. So, yeah. Those two matches.

Q. Do you know your draw? I don't want to give anything away.

BIANCA ANDREESCU: No, please don't tell me (laughing). I think I did see something on Twitter, though. Possible matchup between me and her. That will be fun, if I get there (laughing).

Q. Not to get too ahead of yourself, but just in the big picture when you talk about Rome and when you see everything that Iga has done and everything that you did a few years ago, do you look at that and think that's where I should be or that's where I will be, or how do you conceptualize it?

BIANCA ANDREESCU: Yeah, I've worked really, really hard, and I know what I'm capable of. So looking at Iga, someone like her, it's very motivating and inspiring because, I mean, it's something hard to do in tennis to be consistent like that. So I definitely condone her.

It definitely motivates me, and like I said, I know I can be back in that position like I was in 2019 and hopefully even better.