Full Breakdown
Bianca Andreescu Returns to the ITF Circuit in Early 2026
5/19/2026, 10:26:00 PM
Andreescu’s Move to the ITF Circuit
In early 2026 former US Open champion Bianca Andreescu left the WTA Tour and entered the International Tennis Federation (ITF) circuit, competing in W35 and W75 events for the first time since 2018.
Injuries, Surgery and Ranking Slide
Andreescu’s 2025 season was disrupted by abdominal and ankle problems and an appendectomy that delayed her comeback. Since her US Open triumph she has not passed a Grand Slam fourth round, and her ranking fell from world No. 4 in 2019 to No. 228 earlier this year.
ITF Tournament Levels and Prize Money
The ITF circuit runs from entry-level W15 to W100 events. A W35 tournament offers a total prize pool of about £26,000. The tour’s fields combine young prospects, players who have not secured regular WTA spots, and athletes seeking to regain form after setbacks. Crowds are modest and line judges scarce, yet match intensity remains high.
Official Statements and Responses
Andreescu said the hunger she encounters on the ITF circuit matches that of the WTA, and she respects players who grind despite limited earnings. She warned against dismissing the ITF as a “Mickey Mouse” tour. Coach Vemic, who joined her team in September 2025, described the field as driven by dreams, noting that each player must continually prove themselves and that the circuit serves as a transitional stage for younger athletes moving toward professional ranks.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The hunger the women had that I was playing against, every match was so difficult, and I feel like maybe on the WTA Tour, the athletes are maybe a bit more comfortable with certain things,” — Bianca Andreescu, Player
- “Certain things are getting paid for [on the WTA Tour]. But on that [ITF] level, nothing's getting paid for, and you're barely breaking even. I was there too at one point, so I know how it is.” — Bianca Andreescu, Player
- “I don't want people to get the idea that the ITF tour is Mickey Mouse compared to the WTA Tour, because that's not the case.” — Bianca Andreescu, Player
- “Every player there needs to prove themselves and everyone is hungry and they're not bored of playing many years on tour,” — Vemic, Coach
Impact and Outlook
The move allows Andreescu to face intense competition while managing limited earnings, a step she hopes will restore the form that earned her a Grand Slam title and a top-four ranking. Her experience also highlights the depth of women’s professional tennis and the financial pressures faced by players outside the elite tier.
