2019 US Open champion Bianca Andreescu spent a few months away from the game and during those several months she volunteered at a women’s domestic violence shelter.
In December, Andreescu announced her withdrawal from the Australian Open as she took an indefinite break from tennis.
Last week, Andreescu kicked off her 2022 season in Stuttgart.
After losing in the Stuttgart round-of-16, Andreescu came to Madrid.
On Friday, Andreescu made a winning start to her Madrid campaign as she defeated Alison Riske 6-4 3-6 6-0.
After the match, Andreescu opened on how she was spending time during her break from tennis.
Andreescu: I want to use my position to do something good
“I actually spoke to a couple of women and their stories of what they went through, and if I go into detail I’m going to cry, because it’s like the saddest thing ever,” Andreescu said.
“There is this one lady who was basically running away from her husband that wanted to kill her, like that kind of stuff. It’s just absurd things. I can’t believe any human being has to go through that.
“Just being in that environment really, first of all, makes me appreciate my life. Like I said before, for me, tennis is just a platform that I love, now I love it again, to, yeah, basically help and contribute to a better world in a way.
“That’s kind of how I’m viewing tennis. I’m not identifying myself with the sport anymore, because I felt like last year, if I lost, I hated myself. If I won, it was like the best thing ever. Last year I was losing way more than I was winning, I think. I don’t know exactly my record. I was in the right place, but now I’m viewing tennis as just another opportunity to get better as a person and it’s something I’m passionate about, so I want to enjoy myself out there.”