Andreescu Lends Her Support to Team Canada at Billie Jean King Cup

For years now, it’s been mentioned that Canada is getting into its golden age of tennis.

Whereas the contributions of gamers like Daniel Nestor, Milos Raonic, and Eugenie Bouchard simply to call a couple of went a great distance in the direction of constructing the game in Canada, no participant drove it to better heights than Bianca Andreescu.

Her victory on the 2019 US Open was a milestone for Canadians within the sport. The following large leap got here when Workforce Canada offered by Sobeys brought home the Davis Cup, the boys’s “world cup,” in 2022.

Logically, the following step in Canada’s development as a tennis superpower can be the ladies’s squad, led by Andreescu and 2021 US Open runner-up Leylah Annie Fernandez, duplicating the feat on the ladies’s aspect.

The street to a maiden Billie Jean King Cup title started on Friday for the Canadians, however Andreescu was not formally a member of the workforce taking to the courtroom in Vancouver. She had been nominated however was pressured to tug out after struggling an ankle damage in Miami.

Learn additionally: Canada, Belgium tied after day one at Billie Jean King Cup

However did that imply Andreescu was simply going to stroll away from her teammates?

Not an opportunity.

When the Canadians took to the courtroom on Friday afternoon, the 2019 US Open champion was on the workforce bench together with the remainder of the help employees, able to cheer on her countrywomen as they took on the Belgians.

Learn additionally: The History of the Davis Cup

“Being right here, simply being within the workforce setting being round these wonderful girls, it’s at all times good to be there to help,” mentioned Andreescu. “I care about these folks.”

All through the matches on Friday, a victory for Leylah Annie Fernandez and a loss for Rebecca Marino, the Mississauga-native could possibly be seen cheering on her teammates, banging on Thundersticks, and even capturing some key moments on video.

Fernandez, who assumed the function of Canada’s No. 1 singles participant when Andreescu withdrew, deeply appreciated her countrywoman making the journey to the west coast.

Get to know Team Belgium

“It means lots to us, it means lots to the entire workforce,” mentioned Fernandez. “Bianca is a crucial participant for Canada. She has executed so effectively and each alternative she has to play for Workforce Canada, she goes for it. I’m glad that she got here, that she nonetheless supported us. I’m joyful that she’s right here and he or she’s given us confidence.”

“It’s superior, all of us love Bianca,” mentioned Marino.  “The truth that she’s right here [after the injury] is admittedly admirable and that exhibits that she’s a fantastic workforce member. We’re all very excited that she’s right here and he or she provides to the bench actually properly.”

Throughout the match, solely workforce captains (Heidi El Tabakh for Team Canada) are allowed to talk to the gamers on-court. If Andreescu had been within the captain’s chair, she has a easy however vital message for her teammates.

Learn additionally: Davis Cup Trophy Fun Facts

“Everyone is aware of learn how to play tennis, all people is aware of what to do, it’s extra motivational issues I might say” defined the Canadian No. 1-ranked singles participant. “You’re doing wonderful, stick with it, play together with your coronary heart, give all the pieces you could have, little issues like that.”

Despite the fact that Andreescu doesn’t have the burden of needing to win on her shoulders, that doesn’t make the tie any simpler for her. Actually, it’s even more durable for the fierce competitor that she is to be on the sidelines.

When requested if she discovered enjoying or watching extra disturbing, she responded, “Actually, I hate watching tennis, particularly those that I care about. I would like my workforce to win. I like enjoying far more.”

Andreescu didn’t spend all of Friday on the bench, getting out on courtroom and hitting a couple of balls within the quiet area after followers departed.

One factor Andreescu confirmed no issues about was the prospect of assembly the general public at her e book signing on Saturday, which is able to happen between matches on the Pacific Coliseum.

“I actually am [looking forward to the signing], I like assembly folks. I hope to do extra sooner or later,” mentioned the Canadian with a smile. “I really feel like my story can encourage many individuals.”