2019 US Open champion Bianca Andreescu is not headed to Australia for the start of the 2026 WTA season.
Instead, the Canadian is making a conscious decision to stay closer to home and compete in Florida at an ITF W35 event.
🎾 Direction Bradenton pour Bianca ! 🇺🇸
Bianca Andreescu confirme qu’elle fera l’impasse sur l’Open d’Australie 🇦🇺 pour privilégier une reprise progressive. Elle lancera finalement sa saison 2026 au W35 de Bradenton !🇺🇸
Un choix réfléchi pour préserver son physique et retrouver… pic.twitter.com/uEeSTDqwZw
— WTA à la UNE (@WTA_UNE) December 30, 2025
Andreescu has the game to win another Grand Slam, but unfortunately, injuries have been her biggest challenge in recent years.
She spent the early part of the 2025 season recovering from an emergency appendectomy and then did not qualify for the French Open or Wimbledon. Andreescu did not play the US Open. Her 2025 record of 10-12 is indicative of a player that could not get confidence or momentum to go on deep runs in tournaments.
As a result, the decision to play the ITF 35 event in lieu of the Australian Open is a good one. It gives her the opportunity to earn wins and gain match play so that the former World No. 4 and current World No. 228 can get into a groove.
Can A Canadian Tennis Player Win A Grand Slam?
Andreescu is the last Canadian to win a Grand Slam, and there is an impressive team of Canadians who could join her in earning Grand Slam glory for Team Canada.
Teenager Victoria Mboko, World No. 18, had a breakout 2025 and won the Canadian Open. World No. 22 Leylah Fernandez is a consistent performer in both singles and doubles and the 2025 Mubadala Citi Open and Japan Open champion.
Your Newcomer of 2025 🤩
What a year it’s been for Victoria Mboko 👏 pic.twitter.com/0ojUXjaR2D
— wta (@WTA) December 15, 2025
World No. 5 Felix Auger-Aliassime had a strong second half of the season and qualified for the 2025 ATP Finals.
Felix Auger-Aliassime qualifies for the ATP Finals for the second time in his career.
🇨🇦❤ pic.twitter.com/MplqBNKzoi
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) November 8, 2025
Dennis Shapovalov, a former Top 10 player currently ranked 23rd, has dealt with injuries but is on his way back with a big win at the 2025 Dallas Open.
Tennis Canada has a strong team, and any of its top players could contend for a Grand Slam.
