While most of the tennis world is in Australia to play the season’s first Grand Slam major tournament, Bianca Andreescu, former 2019 U.S. Open champion, played in the low-level W35 ITF tournament at Inspiration Tennis Academy, 7900 40th Ave. W., Bradenton, for a total purse of $30,000 — or $3,000 for the winner.
Andreescu came with her father Nicu and new coach, Dusan Vemic, former ATP player and ex-coach of Novak Djokovic.
Andreescu won all five of her matches and the final 62, 75 vs American Vivian Wolff. The match had to be moved to an IMG Academy indoor court due to rain.
“So happy to be here. This win means a lot. I haven’t won a title in so long,” said Andreescu, the top seed in the tournament. “This one is very special. I’m so glad I came. Everybody has been great.”
The Mississauga, Ontario, native, who owns a 2-0 pro record vs Serena Williams, is ranked 225 in the world and is trying to return to the elite level of pro tennis after five years of injury struggles and tough luck.
The final point of the championship match at Bradenton’s IMG featured a thrilling, extended rally and then a great volley winner by Andreescu.
The tournament director, Abrie DuPlooy, is no stranger to staging pro tennis, as this was his 16th professional tournament.
Despite inclement weather, DuPlooy was happy with the week of hard-fought competition, which attracted two TV networks to report on the tourney and “not one complaint from any player.”
The tournament ran Jan. 12-18 and was sponsored by Solid Rock Construction and presented by Reel Coastal Properties.
Andreescu’s best career world ranking was No. 4.
— Mark Scoop Malinowski