Canadian tennis player Bianca Andreescu has opened up about the darker side of her 2019 US Open victory, including shifting relationships and self-doubt. In a recent podcast interview, the 25-year-old detailed how sudden fame led people to ask for favors and question her achievements. She is now staging a strong return with a 19-6 record this season.
Bianca Andreescu, who stunned the tennis world by defeating Serena Williams in straight sets to win the 2019 US Open at age 19, spoke candidly on The Changeover Podcast about the aftermath. Success brought unwanted attention, she said. “Some people wanted to work with me just because I was a top player, or they’d ask for things more often,” Andreescu recounted. Her parents, however, remained a steady influence, keeping her grounded amid the changes around her former world No. 4 status. The spotlight also fueled imposter syndrome. “I’ve felt imposter syndrome at times, like, did I really accomplish that? Sometimes I even forget,” she admitted. Facing her idol Williams in the final was overwhelming; Andreescu wiped away tears entering the court but focused on her coach's advice to play the ball, not the opponent, staying in the zone throughout. Injuries derailed her career afterward—a knee issue at the 2019 WTA Finals, the pandemic, and a shoulder problem. Now ranked No. 128, Andreescu has won two ITF titles in 2026 and strung together 14 straight victories recently. “It was nice to know my body can handle that stress again... It had been seven years since the US Open,” she said. She kicked off the clay season in Charleston, reaching the round of 32 before losing to Sofia Kenin. Looking ahead to the European swing and the May clay Grand Slam, Andreescu emphasized effort and intention as her driving forces.