“I already felt so negative, wanted to feel worse” - Bianca Andreescu recalls reading ‘hateful’ messages on purpose after shocking French Open exit

Bianca Andreescu recently looked back on a distressing moment in her career when she lost in the opening round of the 2021 French Open. The Canadian said that she read hateful messages on purpose to make herself feel worse, but vowed to never do it again.

Andreescu rose to fame at the age of 19 when she won the Canadian Open and the US Open in 2019, defeating Serena Williams in both finals. However, she has failed to replicate similar results since, due to form and injury struggles. The former World No. 4 is slowly and steadily trying to move back up the ranks. She is currently ranked 167th in the world.

The 24-year-old sat down for a chat with The Players' Tribune, where she had a candid conversation revealing some highs and lows of her life. She recalled an incident from the 2021 French Open when she lost to Tamara Zidansek in the opening round in a tough three-setter. She said that she locked herself in the bathroom after the loss and cried, questioning god why she had to face this ordeal.

"French Open 2021, I lost in the first round. It was the first time I ever lost in the first round of a tournament … and it was bad. I remember I got off the court, went straight to the first bathroom I saw, dropped my bags and started crying. I mean, looking back now, I can laugh because I’m like, Wtf, B?? But at the time, it felt so bad. I locked myself in there for two hours."

"I was like paralyzed on the ground. People were knocking and knocking, but I couldn’t open the door. That bathroom was designated for Bianca Andreescu for the time being. I laid on the floor thinking, Why me?? Why is this happening to me? I already suffered these injuries … wasn’t that enough?? And the worst one: You suck."

Bianca Andreescu then revealed that she went to Instagram to read all the hateful messages so that she could soak the negativity and feel even worse about herself.

"Then I went on social media because misery loves company. I go and look at my Instagram message requests so I can get all that negativity in me … I read all these hateful messages on purpose. I already felt so negative, and it’s like I wanted to feel worse."

"I don’t even want to repeat what they said, honestly, they were so bad. But you can only imagine. Go eff yourself. I’m going to find you. I’m going to effing kill you. That type of thing. It was so dark. I told myself I’d never do that again," Bianca Andreescu said.

Bianca Andreescu will kick off her 2024 US Open against Jasmine Paolini

Bianca Andreescu (Image Source: Getty)

Bianca Andreescu, who received a main draw wildcard, will play the fifth seed Jasmine Paolini in the first round of the 2024 US Open, in what will be the third meeting between the two. The Italian leads their head-to-head 2-0.

Andreescu has had a poor North American hard-court swing this year. She kicked off her swing at the Canadian Open, where she was eliminated by Lesia Tsurenko, who came back from a set down, following which she faced defeat at the Cincinnati Open, losing to Elina Avanesyan in straight sets.

On the other hand, Paolini has been in the form of her life, reaching back-to-back Grand Slam finals at the French Open and Wimbledon. She faced a third-round exit at the Cincinnati Open, losing to Mirra Andreeva in a three-setter, which was the only tournament she played at the swing.

The winner between Andreescu and Paolini will play the winner of the match between Mayar Sheriff and Karolina Pliskova in the second round.