Despite Being a Russian Herself, 16-Year-Old Mirra Andreeva Brushes Aside Legendary Compatriot Maria Sharapova?s Influence in a Blunt Career Admission

The latest addition to the illustrious list of WTA stars from Russia is the teenage sensation Mirra Andreeva. Born in 2007, Andreeva burst onto the scene with a head-turning breakthrough performance at the Madrid Open this year, before making her grand slam debut at the French Open. She continued to win the hearts of fans with inspiring performances at the ongoing Wimbledon before finally being ousted from the 4th round of the event. Unsurprisingly, her career graph so far was enough to draw comparisons with the legendary Russian tennis star Maria Sharapova. However, Mirra Andreeva had a rather surprising admission about the impact of the likes of Maria Sharapova on her career in a recent interview!

Like Andreeva, Sharapova burst onto the scene as a teenage sensation who took on the top players at the time. She famously defeated an already-established star in Serena Williams at the 2004 Wimbledon Championships. But Andreeva dismissed claims of similarities between hers and Sharapova’s emergence.

Mirra Andreeva’s frank revelation on the influence of Maria Sharapova in her career

After creating a lot of buzz amongst fans and experts alike with her impressive grand slam debut performance at Roland Garros, 16-year-old Andreeva backed up all the hype with an impressive run at the ongoing Wimbledon Championships. It goes without saying that tennis’ new wonder kid Mirra Andreeva’s meteoric rise so far in the WTA tour is similar to that of a certain Maria Sharapova in 2003. Fans were quick to point out glaring parallels between the careers of the two.

During a press interaction at Wimbledon, Andreeva was asked about the influence of Russian tennis stars Maria Sharapova and Anna Kournikova in her career. Although Andreeva acknowledged their huge contribution to tennis, she seemed to shrug off the possibility of their stellar careers having an impact on her. ?Honestly, when Sharapova won Wimbledon, she was 17. I wasn?t born yet. I didn?t see this historical moment. But it?s amazing what they both have done for tennis..?, she said.

Interestingly, the legendary Maria Sharapova was also aged 16 at the time of her breakthrough season in 2003, twenty years back, identical to that of Mirra Andreeva today. Despite bowing out of the competition in the 4th round, a young Andreeva didn’t fail to enter into the record books of Wimbledon this year.

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Andreeva’s momentous Wimbledon debut

The Russian wonder kid’s superb run at Wimbledon ended when she was finally defeated by a resilient Madison Keys 3-6, 7-6(4), 6-2 in a close round of 16 encounter. But her first-ever appearance at SW19 will always be extra-special as she became the youngest player to take part in the main draw of this prestigious tournament since Coco Gauff in 2019. Without a doubt, what she has already achieved on the tennis court at such a tender age is a dream to many.

With so much attention and accolades already attested to her name, the young prodigy turns 17 next year. This presents an interesting proposition in front of the tennis world – can Mirra Andreeva possibly emulate her compatriot Maria Sharapova’s iconic Wimbledon 2004 heroics as a 17-year-old at next year’s championships? Tell us what you think in the comments as it is time for the fans to play soothsayer!

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