Bianca Andreescu has issued an apology to Nike after claiming one of their dresses was “so bad”. The Canadian contested her first round match at the US Open against France’s Harmony Tan on Sunday night. She emerged victorious 6-0, 3-6, 6-1, but was not happy with her outfit for the tournament, as she asked the umpire mid-match if she could leave the court to change.
“Can this not count as one of my changeovers because, I mean, it’s not my fault, it’s Nike’s fault?” the 22-year-old said on the court, before adding: “This dress is so bad.” Later on, the 2019 US Open champion explained the reason for her comments on the court. “It was just bothering me on some forehands,” she explained.
“I just felt like it was kind of coming up a bit. Obviously the wind didn't help. I meant no disrespect with what I said to the umpire. I was trying to convince him to not take away that washroom break, because I know we only get two. He was very nice to say it was totally okay. I could have definitely used a different choice of wording. So I apologise to anyone I disrespected. I love Nike and I hope I can be with them for the rest of my life. I came back with another Nike outfit. I have no choice.
“I'd rather be with Nike for the rest of my life. And, yeah, I definitely apologise for what I said.” Ultimately the world number 48 overcame her outfit woes to defeat Tan and progress to the next round. Andreescu loves playing at Flushing Meadows and it showed as she stormed through the first set without losing a game.
But Tan, who defeated Serena Williams at Wimbledon in June and showed great fight and desire during her run to the fourth round at the All-England Club, battled back to take the second set 6-3. But Andreescu rolled through the decider, where she won 13 of her 14 first-service points and converted both of her break points.
"I think I started off very, very well, and then [Tan] kind of came back," Andreescu said post match. "She changed her game style. I felt like she was playing more aggressive, coming to the net. I was a bit thrown off guard, and then I had to regroup in the third set, because I know if I didn't, then I'm sure she could have won that third set. But I'm just happy with how I dealt with it at the end."
Andreescu will now face in-form No.15 seed Beatriz Haddad Maia in the second round. The Brazilian has won two WTA 250 titles this season and reached the WTA 1000 final in Toronto earlier this month, cruising past Ana Konjuh 6-0, 6-0 on Monday.
"[Haddad Maia is] playing really, really well," Andreescu said. "I know I played her but it was back in 2016. ... It wasn't an easy match, and I'm sure Wednesday definitely won't be an easy match, as well.
"She's playing really well. But I'm also playing really well, so I think it's going to be a great matchup."
