Tennis star Bianca Andresscu named Canada's top athlete in 2019

A sensational 2019 has reached yet another high for Canada’s teenage tennis star Bianca Andreescu.

On Monday, the 19-year-old was named the 79th recipient of the Lou Marsh Trophy, the award presented to Canada’s Athlete of the Year since 1936.

The US Open champ is the first tennis player to ever receive the award and the first Canadian female athlete to win the award in a non-Olympic year since kayaker Caroline Brunet won in 1999.

Game. Set. Lou Marsh. 🏆@Bandreescu_ writes more history, becoming the first tennis player to earn the Lou Marsh Trophy as Canada's athlete of the year.

Relive the magic of #SheTheNorth's historic season: pic.twitter.com/LbfTA505jI

— Tennis Canada (@TennisCanada) December 9, 2019

On top of her historic win at the US Open, Andreescu won prestigious tournaments in Toronto and Indian Wells in 2019.

In capturing the Rogers Cup, Andreescu became the first Canadian in 50 years to win our national tournament.

Those big wins helped propel her to a new Canadian record with a No. 4 world ranking.

“Wow, I’m so thankful for this award. I was not expecting it and to be the first tennis player to win is even more surreal,” said Andreescu in a media release.

“None of my success this year would have been possible without the support from all of Canada.

“Canadian sports crushed it this year so there are definitely many other athletes who deserve a piece of this award as well – we all motivate each other to be better. I can’t wait for what 2020 will bring and am always proud to represent Canada at the highest level.”

Other finalists included golfer Brooke Henderson, sprinter Andre De Grasse, Atlanta Braves pitcher Mike Soroka, and St Louis Blues goaltender Jordan Binnington.