Mississauga’s Andreescu apologizes to Nike for comments during US Open match

Bianca Andreescu admittedly went a little too far in complaining about her choice of wardrobe during Monday’s (Aug. 29) opening-round victory at the US Open tennis tournament in New York City.

And now the 22-year-old Mississauga native is apologizing to her sponsor for her choice of words in describing the on-court discomfort she was experiencing while wearing the Nike tennis dress.

In the midst of her match with France’s Harmony Tan, Andreescu approached the chair umpire to ask for an additional bathroom break so she could change outfits. The windy conditions were reportedly blowing her skirt up, which affected her shots.

In making her case to the umpire that a wardrobe change shouldn’t count as a bathroom break, Andreescu said, “…I mean, it’s not my fault. It’s Nike’s fault. This dress is so, so bad…I need to go change.”

The Mississaugan, who has steadily climbed the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) rankings this year to her current No. 48 slot, was granted the break.

She returned to action moments later wearing a white Nike tank top and skirt, and went on to defeat WTA No. 112 Tan (6-0, 3-6, 6-1) to advance to tonight’s (Aug. 31) second-round match against Brazil’s Beatriz Haddad Maia (WTA No. 15).

Opening serve is at 9 p.m.

Before returning to the court for what she hopes will be a lengthy run to another US Open title–she burst onto the WTA scene with a stunning win in New York in 2019–Andreescu took the opportunity to apologize to the athletic wear giant.

The Canadian tennis star and Nike have enjoyed a long-standing relationship.

“I could have definitely used a different choice of wording. So, I apologize to anyone I disrespected. I love Nike and I hope I can be with them for the rest of my life,” Andreescu told reporters.

In 12 career US Open matches, Andreescu has lost only once. That mark will be put to the test against her highly-ranked opponent tonight.

Andreescu continues to fight her way back to the WTA’s upper ranks. She has steadily climbed the rankings this year to her current spot.

After her successful 2019 results, Andreescu fell on tougher times soon after. For two years or so, she battled injuries, a bout with COVID-19 and mental health issues.

She didn’t play at all in 2020.

Andreescu’s results so far this year have been mixed. She’s advanced far at some tournaments, while unexpectedly bowing out early in others.

Her rollercoaster comeback journey took a bit of a dip at the prestigious Wimbledon tournament in London earlier this summer. She was eliminated from the major event in the second round, falling 6-4, 7-6 to Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina (WTA No. 23 at the time).