Françoise Abanda facts for kids
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Abanda at the 2018 Wimbledon qualifying
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| Country (sports) |  Canada |
|---|---|
| Residence | Montreal, Quebec |
| Born | February 5, 1997 Montreal |
| Height | 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) |
| Turned pro | 2015 |
| Plays | Right-handed (two-handed backhand) |
| Prize money | $549,776 |
| Singles | |
| Career record | 195–142 (57.86%) |
| Career titles | 3 ITF |
| Highest ranking | No. 111 (October 9, 2017) |
| Current ranking | No. 422 (July 18, 2022) |
| Grand Slam singles results | |
| Australian Open | Q2 (2017, 2018) |
| French Open | 2R (2017) |
| Wimbledon | 2R (2017) |
| US Open | 1R (2014) |
| Doubles | |
| Career record | 26–32 (44.83%) |
| Career titles | 2 ITF |
| Highest ranking | No. 197 (September 8, 2014) |
| Team competitions | |
| Fed Cup | 7–5 |
Françoise Abanda (born February 5, 1997) is a professional tennis player from Canada. She is known for her powerful game on the court. Françoise reached her highest singles ranking of 111 in the world in October 2017. She also achieved a high junior ranking of No. 4 in April 2013.
Contents
About Françoise Abanda
Her Early Life and Family
Françoise Abanda started playing tennis when she was seven years old. Her older sister, Élisabeth, began playing two years before her. Since 2009, Françoise has been part of Canada's National Training Centre in Montreal. Her parents, Blaise Abanda and Cecile Essono Ahibena, are from Cameroon. Her sister Élisabeth also played tennis professionally.
Françoise Abanda's Tennis Journey
Starting Her Career: 2011–2012
In 2011, Françoise reached the third round of the junior US Open in singles. The next year, in May 2012, she played in the junior French Open. She made it to the third round in singles and the quarterfinals in doubles.
In June 2012, she reached the semifinals at junior Wimbledon in both singles and doubles. Françoise played her first professional match in July. She won against Jennifer Elie before losing to fellow Canadian Eugenie Bouchard. She also reached the doubles semifinals at that event.
In August, she won a match against world No. 104, Irina Falconi, at the Rogers Cup. In September, Françoise won a big junior tournament in Repentigny. She was only the second player from Quebec to win this title. She also reached the quarterfinals of the junior US Open in doubles. Later in 2012, she won the GB1 Pan American Closed ITF Championships.
Overcoming Challenges: 2013 Season
Françoise returned to play in March 2013 after a shoulder injury. She played in an ITF tournament but lost in the first round. In August, she returned again at the US Open junior event. She reached the second round there.
The next week, she played in her first main draw match on the WTA Tour. This was at the Challenge Bell in doubles. She reached the quarterfinals with her partner, Carol Zhao.
In October, Françoise played in two tournaments in Mexico. She reached the quarterfinals in singles at one event. She also made it to the semifinals in doubles. In the second tournament, she won her first-round match. After these tournaments, she entered the top 400 in doubles for the first time.
In late October, Françoise reached her first professional doubles final. This was at the $50k Saguenay Challenger. A week later, she won her first professional title. She and her partner, Victoria Duval, won the doubles title at the $50k Toronto Challenger.
Big Steps Forward: 2014 Season
In January 2014, Françoise won her first professional singles title. She defeated fellow Canadian Heidi El Tabakh in the final. In March, she played in the qualifying rounds of the big Sony Open Tennis tournament. She almost made it to the main draw.
In May, Françoise reached her second WTA doubles quarterfinal. This was at the Internationaux de Strasbourg. In June, she reached her second junior Grand Slam semifinal at the French Open. A month later, at Wimbledon, she reached the third round.
In July, Françoise played in her second professional singles final. This was at the Gatineau tournament. In August, she received a special entry to play in the Rogers Cup in her hometown of Montreal. She played a tough match against world No. 12, Dominika Cibulková.
At the US Open in August, Françoise qualified for her first Grand Slam main draw. She won all three of her qualifying matches easily. She then played against world No. 27, Sabine Lisicki, in the first round. In September, she played against her childhood idol, Venus Williams, at the Coupe Banque Nationale.
Continued Progress: 2015–2016
In February 2015, Françoise was chosen to play for Canada in the Fed Cup for the first time. In April, she had a big win at the Fed Cup. She defeated world No. 33, Irina-Camelia Begu, who was a top-100 player.
In May 2015, she won her second professional doubles title. This was at the $50k Charlottesville Classic. In August, she played in the Rogers Cup again. She reached the second round in doubles with her partner.
In March 2016, Françoise won her second singles title. This was at a $25k tournament in Irapuato. In August, she advanced to the second round of the Rogers Cup. She defeated world No. 66, Zheng Saisai. In October 2016, she won her third singles title. This victory was at a $25k tournament in Redding.
A Strong Year: 2017 Season
In April 2017, Françoise played for Canada in the Fed Cup against Kazakhstan. She won both of her singles matches. She defeated world No. 51, Yaroslava Shvedova, and world No. 31, Yulia Putintseva. Canada won the match and secured its place in the World Group II for 2018.
In May, Françoise qualified for the French Open main draw for the first time. She won her first-round match. At Wimbledon, she qualified for her second Grand Slam main draw in a row. She won her first-round match against world No. 94, Kurumi Nara. She then played against the French Open champion, Jeļena Ostapenko, in a close three-set match.
In August, she qualified for the main draw of the Premier 5 Western & Southern Open. She defeated two top-100 players to get there. In the first round, she won against world No. 84, Magda Linette. In September, Françoise reached her first WTA quarterfinal at the Coupe Banque Nationale. She had some great wins before losing to world No. 63, Tímea Babos.
Career Highlights
Françoise Abanda has played in many important tournaments. She has competed in all four Grand Slam events: the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon, and US Open. Her best results at Grand Slams include reaching the second round at the French Open and Wimbledon in 2017. She has also won three singles titles and two doubles titles on the ITF Circuit.
Images for kids
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Abanda at the 2018 Wimbledon qualifying
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Abanda at the junior 2012 US Open
See also
In Spanish: Françoise Abanda para niños
