Bianca Andreescu embraces simplicity in US Open return, teases return to second-week spectacle

WATCH: Andreescu had won just one match since Wimbledon ahead of the US Open.

NEW YORK—To enjoy a tennis match involving Bianca Andreescu is to have a deep appreciation—conscious or otherwise—of all things camp.

The 2019 US Open champion frequently embraces spectacle, channeling her unique charisma into a persona that has quickly made her one of the most intriguing athletes in the game.

Even after a straightforward win over lucky loser Greet Minnen and improving her perfect US Open record to 10-0—rivaling greats like Evonne Goolagong and Monica Seles—the Canadian clearly yearned for more excitement than a sleepy Saturday morning on Louis Armstrong Stadium could provide.

“I actually told my coach after my first round, ‘Usually I'm pissed, like you do not want to talk to me after I lose, but, you know, there are some matches like the first round I was going to say I would have been very satisfied,’” she recalled after the 6-1, 6-2 victory. “Obviously getting the win is more satisfying. But just the way I fought, the way I dealt with all the adversity, coming back at the US Open, and like a very clear mindset the way I played I was very happy.”

I feel like my mind can be all over the place sometimes. So, having, like, three, four things to work on and to focus on during practice, during a match, has really been helping me stay focused throughout the whole thing, from A to Z. Bianca Andreescu

Andreescu the athlete validates any performance metaphor a sports journalist has ever written. Her milestone matches are marked by an innate sense of theatricality, employing maddening variety and punctuated by emotional exhortations. Her cheering squad includes glamorous mother Marie and toy poodle Coco, who often achieves a doll-like stillness when the camera meets her gaze.

But as the 21-year-old has advanced through the fortnight, the on-court personality has become progressively more muted. The variety has been largely set aside in favor of relentless aggression, and her performances have taken a more linear shape since following up a dramatic opener against Viktorija Golubic with back-to-back straight setters over Minnen and Lauren Davis.

“I'm getting a lot of, like, messages. ‘Oh, my God, straight sets. What's happening to you?’” she joked after defeating Davis. “Honestly tennis is, like, super chaotic and I never try to play three sets. It's not always the best, but I play well in those three-setters.”

That’s no exaggeration: of her 14 wins in 2021, 10 have required a final set. Calmest in the face of chaos, Andreescu has nonetheless proven capable of opting for simplicity—albeit with encouragement from new coach Sven Groeneveld, whom she hired earlier this summer.

“For me, that game is based a lot on instinct,” she explained on Saturday. “What I'm working on, then, is developing that—continuing to develop that—but at the same time, I feel like my mind can be all over the place sometimes. So, having, like, three, four things to work on and to focus on during practice, during a match, has really been helping me stay focused throughout the whole thing, from A to Z.”

Aggression, it appears, can be as instinctive as her variety. She struck 21 winners to just 11 unforced errors against Minnen while losing just nine points behind her first serve.

“This is what I have been working towards in practice, and I'm very pleased with my return games, with my service games, with my movement on court, also with my attitude.”

There’s also historical precedent for this this more distilled Bibi. When she faced Serena Williams on Arthur Ashe Stadium two years ago, she attempted a drop shot that the 23-time Grand Slam champion quickly swatted away. The Canadian eschewed touch for the remainder of the match and left Williams speechless in post-match press.

“Today I thought she brought more intensity than versatility,” said Williams. “I didn't give her too much opportunity to have versatility.”

The reduction of improvisation may also improve her physicality; after a second straight season hijacked by injuries, the fewer unfamiliar movement she makes may better maintain her body for the length of an already grueling world tour.

Still, the elusive chanteuse teased more variety ahead of her round of 16 encounter with Maria Sakkari, a rematch of a Miami Open semifinal that played out decidedly more on-brand for Andreescu enthusiasts.

“I think that if I can stick to like a simple game plan, then once the match progresses or the tournament progresses, I'll change it up a little bit more,” she promised, later adding, “I hope that it can continue like this the whole way and I can be 14-0 at the US Open. That's my goal.”

Any artist must learn—or in the perennially absent Andreescu’s case, relearn—the form before finding the confidence to break it. Consider this a rebuilding week for a performer who mastered simplicity within three matches and may be ready to revive the full breadth of her spectacle in time for an electric finale.