“I Never Liked People….” Coco Gauff Talks About Her Frustration Over Unsolicited Advice as She Backs Mirra Andreeva’s Game

The Russian teen Mirra Andreeva is making waves on the tour with her back-to-back WTA 1000 title triumphs, taking down seasoned players like Iga Swiatek, Elena Rybakina, and Aryna Sabalenka and breaking into the top 10 to propel herself into the spotlight. However, this rapid rise comes with its own set of pressures. It sounds familiar to another young star on the tour, Coco Gauff, who faced headlines like “flop era” during her struggles but has since found her footing. Seeing how Mirra is rising through the ranks pretty similarly, does Gauff have any pearls of wisdom to offer?

Following her first WTA 1000 title at the Dubai Tennis Championships, Andreeva took her game to another level in the Indian Wells. She toppled Rybakina and Swiatek again in the Californian desert before getting her revenge against Sabalenka who had beaten her twice in Brisbane International and the Australian Open earlier this year.

On Sunday, March 19, Andreeva clinched her second WTA 1000 title at the Indian Wells, defeating the Belarusian with a 6-2, 4-6, 3-6 score and propelling herself further up the rankings to No.6!

When Coco was asked if she had any advice to impart to the rising star – as she herself saw a stellar rise back in 2023, winning her first Grand Slam at the age of just 19, she noted, “She’s doing very well and doesn’t need much advice. When I was in her position, I never liked people giving me advice in public.”

After clinching her first major title in 2023, not everything was smooth sailing for Coco Gauff. She faced criticism during her challenging period in 2024, particularly when her results declined after a promising start to the year. Following her title win in Auckland, she went nine months without claiming another singles trophy, which included a 15-event streak without reaching a final. “They just said it to my face,” she recalled about the criticism and advice on what she should do to improve. Yet, Gauff turned that negativity into motivation.

After bringing Matt Daly on board as her coach, Gauff improved significantly. She won the 2024 China Open and the WTA Finals and helped Team USA clinch the United Cup in early 2025. And, when she faced the odd setbacks – like the one at the Australian Open earlier this year where she lost to the Spaniard Paula Badosa in the quarterfinals – Coco didn’t shy away from having a go at the critics either, calling them “internet coaches” who never coached anyone at her level. Not to mention that Gauff is just 21! She’s still on her journey to the top.

“I’m only four years older than her,” Gauff noted about Andreeva. “There’s not much I can tell her that she doesn’t already know. She’s a talented player with a great game all over the court.”

Gauff isn’t alone in this belief! After facing Andreeva in January, Aryna Sabalenka playfully remarked that she would share advice only after retiring: “Right now I’ll just let her do her thing. She’s doing the right things.” Two months later, after being defeated by Andreeva at Indian Wells, Sabalenka reiterated that Mirra has an amazing team supporting her.

While Mirra acknowledges the pressure that comes with success, she also knows “how to manage it,” thanks to her mindset.

Mirra Andreeva reveals how she deals with the pressure of competing at the highest level

On March 8, Mirra Andreeva opened up to Clay Tennis about handling fame and pressure at just 17. Fresh off her historic win at the Dubai Tennis Championships, where she became the youngest WTA 1000 champion since 2009 by defeating Clara Tauson 7-6(1), 6-1, Andreeva admitted, “There’s a lot of pressure, but I just know how to manage it.”

Reflecting on her second year on tour, the Russian further added, “When I had to defend points, it was a bit difficult because I realized what real pressure is; before, I just played and tried to win a few points. That was the first time I faced that pressure.” Andreeva also noted that conversations with her coach Conchita Martinez and her family, and friends have helped her learn how to handle the pressure better.

Additionally, following Iga Swiatek’s lead in embracing sports psychology, Mirra revealed she’s also been working with a psychologist since January’s Australian Open. “I have some new tips. I have some new advice in a way how to work with my anger inside, what to do when I don’t feel great, how to maintain my level when I feel great, how to keep being me,” she revealed.

The correct processes have propelled the Russian to become the youngest WTA 1000 finalist and champion since the format began in 2009. Now as the 2025 Indian Wells Champion, who knows what’s in store next for this young starlet! Will Mirra carry the momentum into the next tournament of the Sunshine Double in Miami and clinch another title?