Tennis: Grand Slam winner returning to ASB Classic

Grand Slam winner Bianca Andreescu is returning for the ASB tennis 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.

It is where her career took off in 2019, following a lengthy layoff the previous year, finishing runner-up in Auckland after going through qualifying.

She went on to qualify at the Australian Open, then won her first big title at Indian Wells, before winning again at her home Canadian Open, and then claiming 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 the end of 2019.

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 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. she said”

Andreescu was injured in 2022, working her way back to fitness last year before an ankle injury thwarted her progress.

This year, she reached the third round at the French Open and Wimbledon and the final in ‘S-Hertogenbosch.

She is currently ranked 135 in the world.

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