THE MODERATOR: We'll get started. Bianca, welcome back to Toronto. Talk us through your preparations and how excited you are to be back here.
BIANCA ANDREESCU: Yeah, definitely. I mean, this is my hometown. I've been training on these courts for all my life, basically since I started playing. So to be back here with the wildcard, I'm just extremely grateful.
THE MODERATOR: Questions? Please raise your hand.
Q. Just to expand on what you were saying there, what kind of memories do you have of coming to this tournament as a kid? Are there any players in particular that you remember watching, any particular matches or moments that you shared as a kid, as a fan before you became a professional tennis player yourself?
BIANCA ANDREESCU: Yeah, there have been definitely a few. I've been coming to this tournament quite a lot as a spectator. Of course I remember watching Serena, Halep, I believe Kim Clijsters as well at one point when I was very young. Just to be able to play on the same courts as these incredible athletes, every time I come back I just have extreme gratitude for it. Whether I win or lose, let's say, the experience is always very valuable for me, no matter what.
Q. We all know what you did in 2019 here, and I know it's a while ago now, but when it comes to that year in particular, do you look back on it and try to use it as motivation or to help you move forward, or is it something you've had to park and kind of say that's the past and you have to move forward?
BIANCA ANDREESCU: I don't think there's necessarily any rules on that. But what I did find that helps me the most is not staying stuck in, how do I become that person or player again. It's more about, how can I use that to learn from, and then who am I now in 2026. A lot has happened since then and I definitely don't have that same, like, in the sense, right, it was my first full year on tour, I had nothing else to think about. So now it's just trying to recreate, obviously the result, but who I am as a person a different way. I do feel like I have that same joy, which I think to me has been the biggest struggle over the years. Now with the amazing team that I have, they have really helped me enjoy the process a little bit more, and hopefully that gets me the win.
Q. Elaborating on that process, what's it been like for you going through these 125K tournaments, challengers, and going through qualifying, what have you learned about your self?
BIANCA ANDREESCU: Well, what I've learned is the level there is super high. Like, I don't want anybody to think, Oh, it's a 75K, 35K, 125, whatever, like, the level is very, very high and all my matches have been difficult. The difference is just the environment, right? Like, you're not playing in front of bigger crowds. Just, yeah, just organization, it's just different. When you come here, there's TV and media, all that type of stuff. So it was more going back to my roots, right, because that's where I started. So it didn't feel bizarre at all. I was just very grateful to be able to play those tournaments and go deep in them because that was the whole goal for me. I got what I wanted. I've learned so much about myself. I know that I can play in any type of environment, I think that's one thing, and against anyone. I try to put my best foot forward in everything that I do, and I just want to continue doing that, whether it's at a 75K or at a Grand Slam.
Q. Where do you feel your game is at heading into this tournament, and the challenge of your first opponent, I don't think you've ever played her before.
BIANCA ANDREESCU: No, she's an up-and-comer and she's been doing really well. I never take any match as it's easy, ever. I've learned that the hard way. I try to go in every match like it's a Grand Slam final, no matter who I play. Yeah, I'm going to do some scouting tonight with my team, see how that goes, have a good warmup tomorrow, and, yeah, hopefully I can do well in front of the Toronto crowd.
Q. How do you feel about yourself?
BIANCA ANDREESCU: I feel good. I'm super healthy, that's been the main priority for me, and I'm happy. I feel like I've been managing everything around me quite well, not only in my career, but in my personal life, let's say. So, yeah, I'm just ready to bring it.
Q. I think about a year ago you were real in an interview, you talked about you how you reached out to Alex Eala, and just kind of curious of what kind of message did you share with her, because I know you wanted to basically kind of be there for the next generation.
BIANCA ANDREESCU: Yeah, that's going to be my goal for the rest of my life. I will always, you know, be a helping hand if they need it. But I met her for the first time, this was in the 250 in Thailand, and she was so sweet. She was there with her dad. Yeah, I saw her play and I was like, This girl is good. She killed it, right? Like, now I think she's in the quarters or something, and I'm like, What? And then she got to the final or, whatever, she did really, really good. Just her as a person, she's very likeable, let's say, right? Like, she's just very real and honest, and her game style is very gritty too, so I think that's relatable. But, yeah, I don't think she needs any help though, I think she's good, but we've always kept that banter going, so I wish her all the best.
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