Wayne Gretzky - "The Great One" praises Bianca Andreescu
The seventh edition of "Tennis United" was dominated by Canadian sports celebrities: above all Wayne Gretzky, probably the best ice hockey player of all time. And basketball icon Steve Nash.
by tennisnet.com
last edit: May 26, 2020, 11:22 am
Moderator Vasek Pospisil could hardly curb his enthusiasm for the guests in the seventh edition of "Tennis United": Yes, there were his compatriots Milos Raonic , Félix Auger-Aliassime , Eugenie Bouchard and Bianca Andreescu . The latter was the winner of the US Open 2019. But above all there was Wayne Gretzky and Steve Nash. Gretzky is probably the largest sports icon in the country, has won a total of four Stanley Cups (title in the NHL) with the Edmonton Oilers, resigned from active sport in 1999 with 61 (!) Active record statistics and went straight to the NHL Hall of Fame without further detours who have been nominated for the Hall of Fame.
Nash, in turn, played with Dirk Nowitzki at the Dallas Cowboys before being twice named NBA's most valuable player in the service of the Phoenix Suns. Both Gretzky and Nash were particularly taken with Bianca Andreescu. Gretzky first watched his young compatriot in Indian Wells last spring (Andreescu won the final against Angelique Kerber at the time), and took the following impression: "This is one of the hardest working athletes I have ever seen."
Andreescu unimpressed by Serena's comeback
The big coup in the final of the US Open against Serena Williams was even more impressive. "Playing in front of all those fans cheering on their American idol, one of the greatest athletes of all time, was very special," said Gretzky of Andreescu. "I take my hat off to her how she handled herself and the pressure."
Nash started right there. "She wins the first sentence, she is really hot. And then she feels the change in momentum. At first you are clearly superior, suddenly you stand face to face with Serena, you have lost all your momentum against the greatest of all time. That Bianca takes a deep breath, goes on winning streaks, doesn't stop playing and doesn't lose any of her personality - that's something special. "