Bianca Andreescu says she still can’t believe she won her first grand slam tournament while speaking to the media in Toronto on Wednesday, fresh off capturing the U.S. Open women’s title.
The Mississauga native spoke at the AVIVA Centre and said the past few days has been very humbling.
The 19-year-old beat one of the greatest players of all time Serena Williams in straight sets (6-3, 7-5) to capture her first Grand Slam title.
It was also the first-ever Grand Slam title win for a Canadian in the sport.
“She’s won her first Grand Slam and I think she’s already said loud and clear she wants to win more,” Andreescu’s head coach Sylvain Bruneau said Tuesday.
On Wednesday, she echoed her coaches’ sentiment and said she has some “pretty big expectations” for herself, even on top of the success she found over the past year.
WATCH: Bianca Andreescu thinks about competing in Olympics
“There’s always room for improvement in anything, so i’m just going to keep improving my game,” she said. “I think the shot selection part will definitely be an emphasis and I’ll keep doing what I’m doing on the mental side of things and get stronger physically as much as I can – I think that’s a crucial part of the sport too.”
“I’m just going to keep striving and hopefully win many more grand slams from now on.”
Andreescu broke Williams right off the top of the match and breezed to a 6-3 first-set win. She held a 5-1 lead in the second set before Williams took control and roared back, eventually tying it at 5-5.
However, the Canadian, who is said to have nerves of steel, drowned out the cheer of the American crowd and held off the comeback, eventually taking the second set — and the match.
After the match, Andreescu said her and Williams shared a “really nice moment” in the locker room.
She said Williams told her she was a “very good tennis player” and a lot of other things, however, that was all Andreescu was willing to share because she wants to keep the special moment private.
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“Above all, she’s such a kind person and hopefully we can see much more of her,” Andreescu said.
The new phenom said she began every morning of the tournament visualizing and meditating how she could beat her opponent.
“I put myself in situations (that) I think can happen in a match, basically,” Andreescu said Saturday night. “I just find ways to deal with that so I’m prepared for anything that comes my way.
“I think your biggest weapon is to be as prepared as you can. I really think that working your mind (is important) because at this level everyone knows how to play tennis.
“The thing that separates the best from the rest is just the mindset.”
As for the pressure, including the extremely vocal pro-Williams crowd, Andreescu said it is nothing compared to the pressure she puts on herself and only helps her in the long run.
“There will always be external pressure,” she said. “I’m sure Canada wants me to do very well, but more importantly I want to do really well so that pressure helps me, to be honest.”
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Andreescu credits her parents with keeping her so humble and driven.
“My mom always says ‘don’t forget who you are’ and ‘dream big to get big’ and I think I’ve been doing that for a pretty long time now and I think that’s contributing a lot to my success.”
“It’s important who you surround yourself with,” she said.
WATCH: ‘There’s always room for improvement’: U.S. Open champion Bianca Andreescu
Since her win, Andreescu’s appeared on several popular talk shows such as “The Tonight Show” and “Live with Kelly and Ryan.”
She said she grew up watching Jimmy Fallon and couldn’t being to believe she was a guest on his show.
As for plans after the whirlwind press tour winds down, Andreescu said she can’t wait to celebrate with friends and just be at home.
“But then it’s time to move onto the next.”
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