Andreescu concert wish list includes Drake, Rihanna

With over a year since the last live performances, Canadian superstar Bianca Andreescu can see the post-pandemic "new normal" on the horizon, and is eager to see some of her favorite artists in concert.

"It's going to be super crazy," she predicts of the potential concert crowd energy. "Seeing Drake in concert is always nice. I have never been to a Lil Uzi [Vert] concert. I really like him as an artist. That would be really sick.

"Hopefully Rihanna can make some new music, and she can go on a world tour. I'd love to see her. I have never seen her either. So that would be really cool."

Along with her fellow players, Andreescu got a taste of life outside the bubble during the Australian summer—where restrictions have largely lifted thanks to their aggressive COVID-19 protocols throughout 2020—and recalled indulging in some pre-pandemic luxuries after her opening round Miami Open victory.

"Going to a restaurant as usual, for sure, that has to be up there. I mean, you're going to a restaurant. Sometimes you can't even get in because there is, like, a maximum capacity, which sucks."

Even tougher have been quarantine restrictions for those traveling internationally, forcing players to reconsider their schedule to maximize their preparation—even at the expense of time ordinarily spent at home.

"You can only bring two, three people with you, so that's a little tough after you have been on the road for a long time."

The 2019 US Open champion had intended to start her season with a BNP Paribas Open title defense last March; between that event's cancelation and subsequent injuries, Andreescu ended up missing the entirety of last season.

"I was restricted in training time on court," she recalled of the initial lockdown. "I was in Canada. Canada was super strict with their rules, so that was one, and then I was affected personally by COVID. I didn't catch COVID, but just around me it was tough."

The 20-year-old's comeback began to pick up steam after a second round loss at the Australian Open; she reached the semifinals of the Phillip Island Trophy the following week and is into her first Miami quarterfinal after outlasting an in-form Garbiñe Muguruza on Monday.

"I think I'm managing everything in the best way that I can, and I know that I'm not the only one in this circumstance, so that helps a lot. Just being back on court with the pandemic is super, super awesome. It's a privilege, honestly. I know there isn't fans like there was back in the day—feels like COVID has been going on for five years already!—but it's nice to have at least 20, 30%."

Dealing with a nagging groin injury since overcoming Amanda Anisimova in the third round, Andreescu may end up employing her famed visualizations to imagine a Champagne Papi concert crowd ahead of her last eight clash with Spaniard Sara Sorribes Tormo on Grandstand court.

"I'm just super, super happy, because I feel like I'm really back to—okay, maybe not fully—but I'm getting there, and I feel like this was a step closer to feeling as good as I was in 2019," she sad after defeating Muguruza.

"I just want to keep rolling like that and feeling really good out there and clutching tough moments."