Italian Open star underwent significant body transformation after ditching alcohol

Bianca Andreescu has opened up on her physical transformation after reaching the third round of the Italian Open. The Canadian lifted the title back in 2019 when she was still a teenager, but her career has since been dogged by injuries. Andreescu has now suggested that her physical issues came from being "a bit too overweight", and she's taken action to change that.

The former world No. 4 says she is now six months sober and has cut out certain foods, going both gluten and dairy-free. It's paying off for Andreescu, who had a 1-3 record for the year coming into Rome and now finds herself through to the third round of a 1000 event for the first time in more than two years.

Things are looking up for Andreescu after a tough start to 2025. The former US Open champion was unable to start her season Down Under.

Just when she planned to make a comeback in Merida, she revealed that she had and had to delay her comeback to the clay swing.

Andreescu won just one match across three tournaments, reaching round two at the Madrid Open but falling at the first hurdle in Rouen and Saint-Malo. But she has turned it around in Rome, taking out Italian wildcard Federica Urgesi before upsetting 20th seed Donna Vekic.

As she prepares to face , a rematch of their second-round contest in Madrid, Andreescu is enjoying the rewards of her body transformation.

"A lot of people have been complimenting my body," the 24-year-old told the .

"I'm becoming leaner, too, with age. But for me, most of my injuries have come from being a bit too overweight. Too much stress on my joints and ligaments. Becoming lean has been one of my main goals."

While plenty of players look forward to the pizza, pasta, gelato and wine in Italy, Andreescu is sticking to her diet and nutrition plan.

She added: "Being in Rome now, it's so freakin' difficult. But I know that it makes me feel good.

"I haven't touched alcohol in six months. Six months sober, and I'm going to continue with that."

Andreescu has happy memories in Rome - she reached the quarter-final here three years ago. And she will be hoping to keep things rolling when she meets Rybakina on Sunday.

The Canadian, who now sits at No. 121 in the world, has lost all three of the matches she's played against Rybakina. But she has already pulled off one upset this week against Vekic and could cause another.