Bianca win means big bucks

Photo: The Canadian Press

Teen tennis phenom Bianca Andreescu won US$3.85 million when she beat Serena Williams in the women's final at the U.S. Open, but it's likely that paycheque is only the beginning of million-dollar payouts from future sponsorship deals.

Being the first Canadian Grand Slam singles champion — at age 19, no less — is notable, but the real story is Andreescu's meteoric rise, said Cary Kaplan, president of Cosmos Sports & Entertainment.

"A year ago, she didn't exist as a tennis player of any consequence," he said.

The week of Sept. 10, 2018, Andreescu ranked 210th in the world for singles tennis, according to The Women's Tennis Association. This week, she's fifth.

"A month ago, if someone was calling and offering her a million dollars it would have been so important," Kaplan said.

In fact, earlier this year, Andreescu signed a sponsorship deal worth about $50,000 with Copper Branch, a plant-based eatery chain with more than 50 locations mostly across Ontario and Quebec.

But with her U.S. Open victory in hand, her financial situation allows her to take her time and determine what brands the young star wants to associate herself with.

Kaplan said the Mississauga, Ont., teen seems to embody the Canadian identity well and that's one of the things fans and brands likely love about her.

Some noted her quintessentially Canadian response to winning the final match when Andreescu apologized to the stadium crowd for beating Williams.

Kaplan said she will likely consider what brands best represent her image, adding Tim Hortons and Canadian Tire spring to mind as natural fits. Canada's major grocers and even some of the country's banks may vie for a piece of Andreescu, he said.