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She was the first ever woman to win Indian Wells after being given a wildcard to enter the event

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Bianca Andreescu’s 2019 season was one to remember.

The Canadian played a starring role throughout the year and first began to foreshadow her future success by winning the Newport Beach Open in January.

Andreescu, then a teenager who was still studying in high school, went on to win four WTA titles that season, including the Cincinnati Open and a maiden Grand Slam title at the US Open.

In the March of that year, Andreescu cemented her place as one of the rising stars of the sport by winning Indian Wells.

By doing so, the 18-year-old made Indian Wells history.

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Mystery player (top left) in a circle overlay and an overview of Court One
Credit: KIRILL KUDRYAVTSEV/AFP via Getty Images

Bianca Andreescu became the first female wildcard entrant to win Indian Wells

Andreescu began her 2019 Indian Wells campaign by beating Irina-Camelia Begu 6–7, 6–3, 6–3.

She then knocked out 32nd seed Dominika Cibulkova, who won the WTA Finals in 2016.

Stefanie Vögele and Wang Qiang were the next to fall at the hands of Andreescu, who then demolished former Wimbledon champion Garbine Muguruza in the quarter-finals, 6-0, 6-1.

In the last four, the 18-year-old knocked out sixth seed Elina Svitolina, setting up a final against three-time Grand Slam champion Angelique Kerber.

Andreescu defeated Kerber 6–4, 3–6, 6–4, becoming the first female wildcard entrant to win Indian Wells.

BNP Paribas Open - Day 14
Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images

Andreescu also became the youngest women’s singles champion at the event since Serena Williams in 1999.

“It’s crazy,” Andreescu said. “Crazy is the word of the tournament for me. Just crazy.

“If you believe in yourself, anything is possible.

“The next is a Grand Slam. Let’s see where this can take me.”

RoundOpponentScore
R1Irina-Camelia Begu6–7, 6–3, 6–3
R2Dominika Cibulková6–2, 6–2
R3Stefanie Vögele6–1, 6–2
R4Wang Qiang7–5, 6–2
QFGarbiñe Muguruza6–0, 6–1
SFElina Svitolina6–3, 2–6, 6–4
FinalAngelique Kerber6–4, 3–6, 6–4

During her post-match press conference, she added: I was actually really dizzy in the locker room because just there were so many thoughts and emotions going through my body.

“I had a good ice bath, which I think calmed me down a bit.

“But, yeah, it’s been a crazy ride. Truly a Cinderella story. Naomi [Osaka] did this last year.

“And now to be able to have my name in front of so many amazing champions is — it means the world to me.”

Bianca Andreescu (CAN) hugs the winners trophy after Andreescu defeated Angelique Kerber (GER) to become the 2019 BNP Paribas Open Champion after a finals match played on March 17, 2019 at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells, CA.
Photo by John Cordes/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

What has happened since 2019?

Bianca Andreescu has suffered numerous injury issues since 2019, which has caused her to tumble down the rankings.

Andreescu’s last setback occurred at the 2025 Canadian Open, when she injured her ankle.

However, she has since returned to the professional circuit, and won her first title since the 2019 US Open at an ITF W35 event in Bradenton, Florida.

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Iga Swiatek of Poland and Amanda Anisimova of United States pose for a photo at the net prior to the Ladies' Singles Final on day thirteen of The Championships Wimbledon 2025 at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 12, 2025 in London, England.
Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

The Canadian was also given a wildcard for Indian Wells. She lost in the first round to Kamila Rakhimova, 7-6, 0-6, 1-6.

The 25-year-old is currently competing at a WTA 125k event in Austin Texas. She has defeated Solana Sierra and Renata Zarazua in the first two rounds.