US OPEN WINNER RETURNS
BACK TO THE FUTURE AS US OPEN WINNER RETURNS TO AUCKLAND’S ASB CLASSIC
Grand Slam winner Bianca Andreescu is going back to the future, returning for the ASB Classic in Auckland where her remarkable career ignited five years ago.
The Canadian-born 24-year-old has battled injury for much of her short career, but is excited about her prospects of returning to the top of the game, beginning with where it all began, at the ASB Classic in Auckland.
This is where her career took off in 2019, following a lengthy layoff the previous year, finishing runner-up at the ASB Tennis Arena after going through qualifying.
Her performance sparked a remarkable hot streak. She went on to qualify at the Australian Open, then won her first major title at Indian Wells, before winning again at her home Canadian Open, and icing this with a remarkable victory at the US Open, where she beat Serena Williams in the final.
Andreescu’s ranking sky-rocketed to No 4 in the world at year’s end.
The Canadian is injury-free as she returns to the game, making the quarterfinal in Japan this month.
Andreescu hopes the positive memories from her 2019 experience in Auckland will be the catalyst to a rewarding 2025 season.
“I remember how incredible the crowd was,” said Andreescu. “I remember stepping out on the court – even though they did not really know who I was. They loved my game and I am sure they were rooting for the underdog. The support I had was incredible. That is the main thing I am looking forward to in coming back.”
ASB Classic Tournament Director, Nicolas Lamperin said he was delighted to have secured the return of Andreescu. “Bianca is a very special player who has a fantastic game, capable of matching the best in the world. She is also a wonderful ambassador for the game and this is one of the reasons she is always a firm fan favourite,” he said.
“Her resilience in the face of injury challenges is one of the things that makes her such an outstanding player and person and we are excited to host her at the ASB Classic.”
More announcements comin soon. Don't miss this summer's exciting season of tennis at the ASB Classic!