“Mentally, She’s a Rock” – Martina Navratilova Backs Bianca Andreescu Ahead of US Open 2021

While Eugenie Bouchard stays away from the tennis court, Bianca Andreescu carries Canada’s flag high on the WTA Tour. Ranked #7 in the world, the 21-year-old has enjoyed remarkable success, which includes a stunning Grand Slam victory in the 2019 US Open.

Although she is enduring a torrid 2021, she comes into the US Open 2021 as the sixth seed. Ahead of the opening round of the final Grand Slam of the year, former World No. 1 Martina Navratilova described the Canadian.

Martina Navratilova calls Bianca Andreescu an “enigma”

Since turning pro in 2017, Andreescu moved to the top of women’s tennis on the back of an impressive 2019. After impressing in several tournaments, Andreescu, then just 19 years of age, defeated Serena Williams in the final of the US Open. This made her the first Canadian to win a Grand Slam title, which saw her rise to a career-best World No. 4 in the WTA Rankings.

While injuries plagued her season last year, she endured a difficult set of tournaments in 2021. The 21-year-old failed to reach the quarterfinals of any Grand Slam tournament this year despite featuring in the top 10 seeds. In fact, the last time she competed in a final was at the Miami Open, where she lost to World No. 1 Ashleigh Barty.

During a recent interview, Navratilova mentioned how the Canadian possesses great mental toughness. Despite calling her an enigma, the 18-time Grand Slam champion hoped she could cope with the physically in the next two weeks.

She said, “Enigma. She looks so sturdy, but she’s so vulnerable. Mentally, I think she’s a rock, but I hope her body holds up.”

READ MORE: Who Are Bianca Andreescu’s Parents?

Andreescu to face Viktorija Golubic in her opener at the US Open

The Canadian takes on the unseeded Swiss player for the first time in her career. Although she has struggled throughout this year, Andreescu should face little problems in beating Golubic to advance in the tournament.

Their match will take place on Tuesday, August 31 in the Arthur Ashe Stadium at 9:00pm local time.

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