Bianca and the Fake Dream
Once a 16-year-old aspiring top athlete, Bianca Andreescu picked up a motivational tool: a pretend check. The dream was to one day possess the real deal to match her ambitions.
On a windy Saturday night in New York, Bianca's dream became reality. She dominated Serena Williams, taking the trophy with a resounding 6-3, 7-5 victory.
"Right after winning the Orange Bowl in 2015, I felt like I could make waves in this sport," Andreescu told CNN after her triumph at the US Open.
"So I took a shot at a fake check and wrote a yearly bonus on it. Every year, I upgraded it, since things changed so fast. Yet, I had this mental picture since that day.
"It's surreal now, to be a champ."
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Canadians take pride
The past eight months saw Bianca, then ranking 178th, reaching new heights. She joined the exclusive club of teenagers who triumphed in a Grand Slam event for the first time since Maria Sharapova in 2006. Her win over Williams garnered widespread attention, including a tweet of approval from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. It was an exciting period for the Canadian sports scene, with Bianca's success following the Toronto Raptors' championship victory in the NBA.
"It's unbelievable to have such widespread support at home. I'm speechless," the young ace said, poised to climb up the WTA rankings to fifth position.
"I'm proud to be Canadian, and I wouldn't be here without Tennis Canada's support."
The rollercoaster finale
Similar to her victory against Osaka in the 2018 finale, Andreescu once again had to grit her teeth, rallying against a New York faithful audience that put her to the test. Despite a botched second-set opportunity, the young champion held her ground defending the title.
But the youngster triumphed one more time, successfully snatching away another record from Serena Williams. Andreescu won her first Grand Slam title, while Williams went another Grand Slam final defeat in a row, making it impossible to catch her record-breaking 24th.
"I've performed on big stages. Though nothing can compare, I had some preparation and put in the mental work to come into the final in shape," Andreescu said.
"I'm glad I stayed calm."
What's next after triumphs in New York?
"From a little girl, I dreamed of winning Grand Slams, possibly claiming the Number 1 spot in the world, making history, and inspiring many people." She said proudly.
"Future progress will likely bring more bonuses, whether on or off the court."
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Additional Info: The fake check story may have originated as an interview myth or urban legend. In reality, Andreescu's victory was a testament to her skill, resilience, and dedication.
