Bianca Andreescu, the 2019 US Open champion, has always been known for her fiery game and fearless personality. But recently, she showed a softer, more vulnerable side that has touched tennis fans around the world.
In a candid conversation shared by *The National* and journalist Reem Abulleil, Andreescu revealed that she had reached out to rising Filipino star Alex Eala—not just to offer her congratulations, but also her heartfelt support.
Her reason? A personal experience that left a lasting mark on her own journey.
“I want to be honest,” Bianca said. “I didn’t have anybody reach out to me. Nobody was friendly with me on the tour, no one would say hi to me, and I told myself—I don’t want the next generation to feel that way.”
Andreescu’s honesty pulled back the curtain on a side of professional tennis that’s rarely discussed—the loneliness and emotional isolation that can come with life on tour, especially for young players trying to find their place.
It’s no secret that tennis is a fiercely competitive sport. Friendships don’t always come easily when players are constantly battling each other for rankings, prize money, and career-defining wins. For a teenager like Eala, now climbing the ranks and gaining global attention, having someone like Andreescu reach out can be more than a simple message—it can be a lifeline.
Andreescu’s empathy comes from hard-earned experience. She burst onto the scene as a teenager herself, defeating Serena Williams in the 2019 US Open final and becoming Canada’s first Grand Slam singles champion. But the fame, pressure, and expectations that followed her historic win came with a steep emotional cost. Injuries, mental health battles, and a sense of being disconnected from her peers have all shaped who she is today.
It’s why her gesture to Eala carries so much meaning.
“You’re not alone,” she seemed to say without needing to write the words. “I see you.”
And for Eala, a talented and ambitious 18-year-old paving her own path in the sport, that kind of support is priceless.
Andreescu’s message is a powerful reminder that beyond the trophies and headlines, athletes are human beings craving connection, belonging, and kindness. By reaching out, she’s not just supporting a young player—she’s setting a new tone for what women’s tennis can be: competitive but compassionate, elite but welcoming.
This small but significant act of kindness could very well spark a shift in the locker room culture of the WTA Tour. And maybe, just maybe, the next generation of stars will grow up in a tennis world where champions look out for each other—even when they’re not holding a racquet.