Canadian Open star makes decision on retiring from tennis due to horror injury luck

Bianca Andreescu admitted that retirement thoughts had crossed her mind

Bianca Andreescu got candid about the prospect of retiring from tennis after having another injury setback at her home tournament in Canada. The former world No. 4 fell and rolled her ankle while holding match point in her opening round against Barbora Krejcikova. She still won, but screamed in pain and was close to tears after sealing the victory. Andreescu was then forced to pull out before she was due to face No. 4 seed Mirra Andreeva in the second round. After dealing with several injury issues, illness and even appendicitis throughout her young career, the 25-year-old confessed there were times when she thought about stopping tennis altogether. Article continues below ADVERTISEMENT

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“For sure. On my bad days, which yesterday definitely was a very bad day for me, I definitely had different thoughts running through my head, but at the end of the day, I know that I truly love this sport,” the 2019 US Open champion said after withdrawing from the WTA 100 in Montreal. “It's given me so much, and the emotions that I get from - just an example, last night was incredible being able to play in front of my home crowd and actually win and finish the match off, even though I was still hurt.” While she has questioned her future, Andreescu is keen to continue playing. She continued: “If you are talking about retirement or whatever, that's definitely - I don't know. Just because obviously I've thought about that too, but no, like, this for me, my goals are still set. “Yes, I'm going to have bad days, but I know my goals, and I know what I want to accomplish in this sport.

Bianca Andreescu rolled her ankle on match point in round one

“So yeah, all I have to do is do my best, and I know that we didn't do anything wrong. Yeah, I guess, I don't know, it just happened. The universe just keeps testing me, but I know it's going to make me stronger, so…” Andreescu has never had good luck with injuries, but it doesn’t make things any easier every time she faces a new problem. “It definitely sucks because this has happened before. Honestly, guys, I don't have much to say. It's really frustrating for me and my team, obviously. We're doing the best that we can to prevent these things, but yeah, it's tough,” she added. Andreescu hopes to be ready to compete in Cincinnati, where the next WTA 1000 event begins on August 7. However, it remains to be seen whether she recovers in time.

The Canadian’s injury issues started when she was just a teenager, and she had to miss her home tournament in 2018 with a back issue. Andreescu enjoyed a breakout season in 2019, even though she faced more challenges. She started the season by reaching her first WTA Tour final in Auckland as a qualifier. In March, aged 18, Andreescu won the WTA 1000 in Indian Wells, beating four top-20 players en route. However, days later, at the Miami Open, she picked up a shoulder issue and retired in the fourth round. The former No. 4 made a premature comeback at the French Open and then pulled out. She did not play again until the Canadian Open, winning the title when Serena Williams retired injured in the final. Andreescu followed it up by winning her first Major title at the US Open, beating Williams in a completed match. Having qualified for the WTA Finals, Andreescu withdrew citing a knee injury after losing her first two round-robin matches. She did not play again until 2021, and it’s been stop-start for the 25-year-old ever since. To be the first to receive the latest tennis news, join our WhatsApp community or newsletter

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