NEW YORK, NY, USA - Canada’s Bianca Andreescu barely hesitated when asked what song she would want blaring on the speakers during her walk-ons at the US Open.

“I'm going to stick with Drake, with my homeboy,” she laughed in front of a crowded Louis Armstrong Stadium. “Can't go wrong with that. 'Started From the Bottom.' Literally!”

Indeed, the Drake megahit single could serve as the anthem of Andreescu’s whirlwind 2019 season. A year ago, a 208-ranked Andreescu lost in the first round of US Open qualifying tournament, falling in straight sets to Olga Danilovic. Next week, she’s set to make her main draw debut as the No.15 seed, the culmination of a stunning rise that has taken the tennis world - and even Andreescu herself - by surprise. 

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No longer an under-the-radar Canadian challenger, Andreescu was in hot demand at the US Open’s Media Day, where she discussed her Grand Slam ambitions, her meteoric rise and the special ‘something’ that is making it all click. 

“Yeah, ‘something’ is definitely the word,” Andreescu told journalists with a grin. “I would say it's been surreal. I have enjoyed every moment out there. 

“I didn't expect anything to come this quickly, but I do believe that I'm capable of doing big things. So I'm just really happy with how everything's turning out right now.”

Andreescu first turned heads at the start of the year in Auckland, where she fought through qualifying and recorded back-to-back wins over Caroline Wozniacki - then ranked World No.3 - and Venus Williams en route to her first WTA final. She lifted the title at Newport Beach 125K, and from there she’s never looked back. 

At the Premier Mandatory Indian Wells, she tore through the draw with her electric style of tennis to claim her biggest title to date, taking down Angelique Kerber, Elina Svitolina and Garbine Muguruza along the way. And a few weeks ago in Toronto, she became the first Canadian player in the Open Era to capture the Rogers Cup title, bringing her win-loss record on the season to a staggering 27-4. 

“I did have a bit of groin issues after Rogers Cup, so I just wanted to take it easy,” Andreescu said of her US Open preparations, having skipped Cincinnati to rest after her Toronto heroics. “I have prepared very well physically and mentally the last two-and-a-half weeks, so I'm feeling fresh for the US Open.

“And, yeah, this is my first main-draw seeded debut here at the US Open. After coming from the win in Toronto, I'm feeling pretty confident. I love playing on hardcourts. 

“I'm here at the US Open in New York, so this is a moment I have dreamed of. I'm really looking forward to whatever will happen these next two weeks.”

For all that Andreescu has dominated the WTA in 2019 - her match win percentage of 87.1% is the best on the tour - her Grand Slam resume remains slim. 

She’s never been past the second round of any Slam, and earlier in the year had to withdraw from the French Open due to a shoulder injury that also later kept her out of Wimbledon. At the Australian Open, she fought through the qualifying rounds to reach the second round - then her career best Grand Slam result.

“I have had some experience playing in Grand Slams already,” Andreescu explained. “I got to the [second] round of Australian Open this year, so I kind of know what to expect. I know every Grand Slam is different.

“Here in New York, the atmosphere is crazier, I think, than any other Grand Slam, so I'm really looking forward to being able to play in front of all of the fans.”

In fact, the two-week Grand Slam schedule might just give Andreescu, who’s been prone to injury during her 2019 rise, the time she needs to recover between her trademark three-set epics - as well as give the 19-year-old time to explore the big city.  

“I think it really helps when a tournament is two weeks, because you get that day in between matches, so it helps you recuperate better,” Andreescu said.

“I would say I think it's good to have a good balance. Explore New York, but at the same time be more mindful of that. Don't get too caught up in what's happening in the city. You don't want to get too tired. But that's personally more for me than for anyone else."

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She added, “I think it's just the atmosphere. Everyone makes it so intriguing. You never know what you're going to see on the streets.

“There is always just something to do. It's literally the city that never sleeps. I think it does fit into my personality. I think I'm more of a night owl. Obviously I'm going to save that for after the tournament.

“But, yeah, I'm just going to enjoy myself and hopefully I can do good.”