Hundreds gather to watch tennis champion Bianca Andreescu light Eaton Centre Christmas tree

Joined by hundreds of Torontonians eager towitness the official start of the holiday season, tennis championBianca Andreescuhostedanofficial ceremony Thursday evening to light upToronto Eaton Centre's iconic Christmas tree.

"I remember actually coming last year to watch this being lit up," Andreescu, 19, told CBC Toronto at the ceremony. "Now being able to do it is really incredible."

Watch the tree being lit up:

After what she says was an "off season" playing in Europe, the winner of this year'sRogers Cup and U.S. Opensaid she'sready to celebrate the holidays with her family.

"Now I'm back home, and I'm just really hoping I can celebrate Christmas at home, have a white Christmas, hopefully," she said.

The Mississauga native says her holiday traditions include shopping for presents at the Eaton Centre, skating, and theHome AloneChristmas movies.

And of course, she's always attendedthe ceremony to light up the tree.

Take a look at pictures of some of the ceremony's highlights:

Bianca's 2019

Andreescu'srise in the tennis world this year began in January at the ASB Classic in Aucklandwhere she reached the finals.

She then won the Oracle Challenger Series tournamentand her first career Premier Mandatory title came in March at the BNP Paribas Open.

She then beat Serena Williams in the Rogers Cup final in Toronto when Williams retired from the match due to an injury.They met again in the US Open final, with Andreescu winning in straight sets.

Andreescu closes the season with a 48-7 won-loss record.

Since then, Andreescu has become the highest-ranked Canadian tennis player in WTA Tour history.

'It's been a dream of mine'

The star is recovering from a knee injury she suffered during the WTA Finals.

Now she says her knee "isn't a really big issue" anymore, but she will take some time off in preparation for her next tennisstint in Australia.

She also says she is gearing up for 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo.

"It's been a dream of mine to perform there, and representing my country everywhere Igo is such an amazing privilege," she said.

"I'm really looking forward to it."