Andreescu’s ‘Aha Moment’ Made Australian Open Win Possible

Bianca Andreescu of Canada plays a backhand return to Marie Bouzkova of the Czech Republic during their first round match at the Australian Open tennis championship in Melbourne, Australia, on Jan. 16, 2023. Ng Han Guan/AP Photo

MELBOURNE, Australia—Bianca Andreescu traces the path that brought her back to the tennis tour after a mental health break—and, on Monday, put her back in the win column thanks to beating a seeded opponent at the Australian Open—to what she calls “an ‘Aha’ moment” on a beach in Costa Rica during a spiritual retreat nearly a year ago.

Here, then, is how the 22-year-old Canadian described that epiphany in an interview with The Associated Press at Melbourne Park: “I am meant to play the sport and use it as a platform to be an inspiration for others.”