"I felt so empty, I felt guilty for how I was feeling" - Bianca Andreescu opens up about mental health struggles & feeling 'like cr*p'
US Open champion Bianca Andreescu is back in New York, looking to repeat her 2019 heroics. The Canadian lifted her maiden and only Grand Slam title yet after beating Serena Williams in the final of the Major that year.
The Canadian who was catapulted to worldwide recognition after the result has not been able to replicate the same level of success since. The constant pressure that comes with being a Grand Slam champion, meanwhile, took a toll on her mental health.
Andreescu opened up about her struggles in an article for The Players’ Tribune, and recalling her encounter against Anett Kontaveit from the 2021 Indian Wells Open, she said she felt “sorry for herself” and had never felt like that on the court.
"Everything was perfect on the outside," Andreescu said. "But on the inside, I felt so empty. I had always been happy and bubbly, but I had completely changed as a person. And I felt guilty for how I was feeling because it’s like, I have such an amazing life. Look at this. Both my parents were with me, my doggy. Everything was supposed to be great. I struggled to get through that first match then I played Anett Kontaveit. I’ve never felt like that ever in a match. I felt like cr*p, feeling sorry for myself."
"I didn’t even want to be on court. It was that bad. I didn’t feel angry. I didn’t even want to cry. I was numb. And the saddest part was, I didn’t feel like I deserved the crowd’s support," she added. "So, the next morning, I texted my team: 'I need to sit down with you guys, SOS.' When everybody came into the room, I said 'I can’t do this anymore.' And right then I started bawling because I held it in for so long."
Bianca Andreescu faces Jasmine Paolini test at US Open
Bianca Andreescu received a wildcard entry into this year’s US Open. She faces a tough test in her opening match against fifth seed Jasmine Paolini, who has been in top form this season, reaching the finals at the French Open and Wimbledon, and who beat the Canadian at both those tournaments.
While Paolini needed three sets to get past Andreescu at the French Open, she powered through in straight sets at Wimbledon. The two will play at Louis Armstrong Stadium during the night session on Tuesday.