Bianca Andreescu apologises for ‘disrespecting’ her sponsor after wardrobe malfunction: ‘I love Nike’

US Open

Shahida Jacobs
August 30, 2022

Bianca Andreescu is hoping to keep Nike as a sponsor “for the rest of her life” after she backtracked on her criticism of the apparel giant during her first-round win at the US Open on Monday.

The Canadian experienced a wardrobe malfunction before her match against Harmony Tan got underway as her dress was blowing around in the windy conditions during the pre-match warm-up.

She then approached the chair umpire to ask if she could take a bathroom break, but the 22-year-old appealed to official not to use it as one of her allocated breaks.

“Can this not count as one of my changeovers because, I mean, it’s not my fault, it’s Nike’s fault. This dress is so bad,” Andreescu said.

Bianca Andreescu starts with a win, but sponsor gets a dressing-down – ‘It’s Nike’s fault’

Naturally her comments made headlines and after her 6-0, 3-6, 6-1 win over Frenchwoman Tan she clarified her comments.

“I was trying to convince him to not take away that washroom break, because I know we only get two,” she said during her press conference.

“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.”

Andreescu is expecting a “great match-up” against Beatriz Haddad Maia, who defeated Ana Konjuh 6-0, 6-0 in her first match, in the second round at Flushing Meadows on Wednesday.

The 15th seed from Brazil won the Nottingham Open and Birmingham Classic in June and was runner-up to Simona Halep at the Canadian Open.

“She’s playing really, really well,” the Canadian said. “I know I played her but it was back in 2016, I think it was.

“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 match-up.”

This is only the third time that Andreescu is playing in the main draw of the season-ending hard-court Grand Slam as she won on her debut in 2019, beating Serena Williams in the final, before missing her title defence due to injury. Last year she reached the fourth round in New York, losing against Maria Sakkari in three sets.

However, she has not been at her best in majors this year as she exited the French Open and Wimbledon in the second round while she didn’t play at the Australian Open due to injury.

Beatriz Haddad Maia Bianca Andreescu