Canadian tennis player Bianca Andreescu is coming to the National Bank Open in Montreal while she still gets used, on and off the court, to her new coach Sven Groeneveld.
“His last name is difficult to pronounce, I think it’s Dutch. I just call him Sven, she said, laughing, in an exclusive interview with QMI Agency. I’ve only been training with him for about ten days. ”
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Andreescu, who announced the end of his association with Quebec coach Sylvain Bruneau at the beginning of June, will not be completely disoriented, since we find here the variant of the same first name. Groeneveld, 56, however, has a necessarily different background, he who has already worked with Monica Seles, Mary Pierce, Ana Ivanovic, Maria Sharapova, but also, among the boys, with Greg Rusedski, a player from Pointe-Claire who has known his best moments in British colors.
Despite the recent change, the 21-year-old is no less confident for the next tournament, scheduled for August 7-15.
“I am 100%, I feel ready to lift a second trophy in Canada,” said the one who, with Bruneau, had triumphed in Toronto in August 2019.
Andreescu and Bruneau, who remain on good terms, were also together when the young Ontarian experienced, a few weeks later, the conquest of a first major title, at the United States Open. Since then, Andreescu has not been spared from injury, still managing to remain fifth in the world rankings.
“I am totally happy,” Andreescu assured, with a smile. Sylvain and I remain close friends. ”
In Paris in 2024?
Having to get used to his new trainer, and wishing to avoid the vagaries of the COVID-19 pandemic, Andreescu recently chose to skip his turn for the Tokyo Olympics.
“I would have liked to be in Tokyo, it was a difficult decision,” she said. I watched several matches, including Leylah’s [Fernandez] and Gaby [Dabrowski]. They might not come home with a medal, but it’s always an honor to represent the country. ”
Andreescu intends to resume in three years at the Olympic Games in Paris. The Ontarian says she has also watched many swimming events, during which young Canadians Penny Oleksiak and Margaret McNeil notably inspired her.
Beyond Coco …
Aside from sports, Andreescu also keeps herself busy, taking advantage of her notoriousness to get involved in a cause that she is particularly fond of. As part of the Shelter for Every Friend project, powered by the Royal household paper brand, she notes the importance of finding homes for the 100,000 Canadian cats and dogs who need adoption each year. Not everyone gets the chance to be cuddled like Coco, the little dog of the Andreescu family, who is well known to tennis fans around the world.
“If I can make an impact, I’m happy to do it,” said the animal lover. Personally, I believe everyone should have a pet. ”
A raised table
With or without Coco in the stands – who will be in Montreal, but in the family bubble – Andreescu will have a lot to do to win. The fourth seed, she could benefit from the absence of the world number 1, the Australian Ashleigh Barty. However, Naomi Osaka, Aryna Sabalenka and Sofia Kenin will be present at the National Bank Open, all of whom are ahead of the Canadian in the WTA standings. Romania’s Simona Halep, ninth in the world, also remains dangerous, as does Belinda Bencic, recent winner for Switzerland at the Olympic tournament.
The official draw for the table, which should give Andreescu a portrait of the week, is scheduled for Saturday.
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