Mirra Andreeva has been on an exhilarating journey lately, lighting up the tennis courts with her electrifying performances! After a solid run at the Australian Open where she reached the fourth round before falling to World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, the 17-year-old faced a bit of a setback at the Qatar Open. However, she quickly turned things around at the Dubai Duty-Free Tennis Championships, taking down not just one but two Grand Slam champions—first Iga Swiatek and then Elena Rybakina. With these victories, Andreeva made history as the youngest player to reach a WTA 1000 final. Seems like something’s pushing this young star to the top, what could it be?

On Thursday, Andreeva showcased her incredible talent by defeating second-seeded Swiatek in straight sets, 6-3, 6-3. This victory was particularly impressive as she managed to come back from a second-set deficit, demonstrating her resilience and determination. But she didn’t stop there! In the semifinals against Rybakina, she once again showed her fighting spirit by rallying from 1-3 down in the deciding set to clinch a hard-fought 6-4, 4-6, 6-3 win. This remarkable performance has cemented her status as one of the brightest young stars in tennis.

Despite her rapid rise to fame, Andreeva openly acknowledges the pressure that comes with high expectations. After her semifinal victory, she candidly expressed how the anticipation surrounding her success has increased: “Now I have some kind of pressure that people are expecting some things from me. People are saying, ‘She’s going to be number one, she’s going to win the Slams. She’s going to be great.'” It’s clear that with great talent comes great responsibility, and Andreeva is feeling the weight of those expectations.

Further, she added, “It helps me to go on the court with kind of anger, not to prove to everyone that I really can do it, but to prove myself that I’m strong enough to handle the pressure and to really win these high-quality matches.”

To navigate this pressure, Andreeva has been working closely with a sports psychologist to cultivate a strong mental game. She shared her strategy for handling expectations: “It’s easier for me to think these people are saying this because probably they are afraid of the way I play.” This mindset allows her to channel any anxiety and anger into motivation, enabling her to step onto the court with confidence and determination.

Since clinching her first WTA title in Iasi last July, this young dynamo has captured the attention of the tennis world. Her stellar performance continued as she made waves at the 2024 French Open, where she not only reached her first Grand Slam semifinal but also took down the formidable Aryna Sabalenka. It’s clear that this 17-year-old is not just a flash in the pan; she’s here to stay.

What’s fascinating about Andreeva is her ability to handle pressure like a seasoned pro, despite her age. This mindset has earned her some high praise from the likes of tennis legends like Andy Murray and Boris Becker!

Tennis legends praise the 17-year-old WTA star on her resilience

During her thrilling comeback against Diane Parry at the 2024 Australian Open, the then 16-year-old rallied from a match point down to win 1-6, 6-1, 7-6. Catching the attention of tennis legend Andy Murray, who recognized her achievement, tweeting, “Andreeva down 5-1 in third…Maybe the reason she turned the match round is because of her mental strength. Winner.” His acknowledgment highlights the importance of mental resilience in high-stakes matches.

Not just that, but now at just 17 years old, Mirra Andreeva is still making waves in the tennis world and reminding Boris Becker of his own journey when he became one of the youngest champions at Wimbledon in 1985 at the same age! Following her impressive performance against World No. 2 Iga Swiatek, Becker also took to social media to commend Andreeva. He wrote, “Never underestimate 17-year-old players … Well done Mirra!”

As Andreeva prepares to face Clara Tauson on Saturday, February 22, the excitement builds around whether she can clinch her first title of the season. What do you think? Share your thoughts in the comments below!