Serena Williams was involved in another tough battle that needed another comeback, in her second game after the long hiatus. For the second consecutive game, he needed to bounce back from a set to win. This time against sister Venus Williams. As Serena and Venus battled on the pitch, news broke that reigning US Open champion Bianca Andreescu withdrew from the event.
Canadian Andreescu struggled with her fitness all year and didn’t even train to get back to her best. It was Serena Williams that Andreescu beat last year in the US Open final to win her first Grand Slam title. Williams is confident of a strong return from Bianca Andreescu soon enough.
Serena Williams speaks very highly of Bianca Andreescu
Williams believes that if he hadn’t been injured, the youngster would have played in the US Open.
“She will come back. It will do well when it is ready. She is smart enough to play if not injured “, Serena said when she was informed of Andreescu’s decision, after her match against Venus.
“I haven’t actually talked to her. I only know the secret that I really like. As a person and as a player, I think she is so mature and so beautiful “, Serena added when asked if she had been in contact with Andreescu recently.
Fitness and COVID-19 pandemic hinder Andreescu’s return
Previously, Andreescu cited lack of fitness as a reason for his retirement from the US Open. Last year he had won this event at 19.
“After much discussion with the people closest to me, I made the difficult decision not to return to New York this year” Andreescu he said in an update on social media. “I took this step to focus on the fitness of the match and make sure I am ready to play at my highest level,The 20-year-old added. He said the COVID-19 pandemic also hindered his ability to play and regain his fitness.
Andreescu has not played in the WTA Tour since October, first due to injury and then due to the pandemic. He has only played two events since the US Open last year. “I realize that unforeseen challenges, including the Covid pandemic, have compromised my ability to prepare and compete at the level necessary to play at my highest level”, his statement added.
Andreescu’s retirement from the US Open means both reigning single champions will not play in New York this year. Previously, Rafael Nadal had also withdrawn from the event.
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