‘I Wasn’t Terrified at All’- Mirra Andreeva Can Really Go All Out Against Aryna Sabalenka as WTA Legend Narrates Own Story

Mirra Andreeva is a young gun who took the WTA world by storm in 2023. The 17-year-old jumped from 312 in April 2023 to rank 38 in June 2024. Her growth has skyrocketed in one year as she will play her first quarterfinal in a grand slam. Andreeva has astounded the tennis world with her fire for the sport, including former Polish star Agnieszka Radwańska. 

Andreeva is set to play in the French Open quarterfinal against Aryna Sabalenka, making it their third clash. The teenager has only dropped one set on her way to the match, which has impressed Radwańska. In an interview with I News, the 2012 Wimbledon finalist complimented the focus of the young star. “She’s not really seeing everything around [her]. She’s doing what she needs to do on court and is very focused on herself. That’s the really good thing: really focusing on what you have to focus on.”

Andreeva’s commitment to the sport reminded her of how she differed from her at the same age. “[When I was 17] I wasn’t terrified at all. Actually at my point, I wasn’t really thinking about anything. It was like ‘Okay, big stadium and everybody be watching’,  for me it was just like another day, without any pressure and without any thinking.”

Along with Radwańska, Andy Roddick also shared his adoration of the young star. Roddick claimed he loved the way she competed, and how she can continue to play even after long matches at a young age. Roddick  said, “She’s like a robot; she just doesn’t get tired.”

As Andreeva continues to get compliments from the tennis world, many wonder how she reached the stage before even becoming an adult. The 17-year-old revealed the person behind her current success during a post-match presser.

Mirra Andreeva credits coach for giving ‘a lot of great energy’ despite fatigue

After a quarterfinal run in the Madrid Open, the Russian teenager exited the Italian Open in her second match. The tides have turned for her as she has reached the final stage. After beating Peyton Stearns 6-2, 6-1 in the third round, she revealed the person behind her current growth is her coach, Conchita Martinez. “I would say the first thing is a lot of positive.

She further said, “Especially when I have days when I don’t feel great on court…she always gives me a lot of great energy, we always have a nice atmosphere, we always laugh. This helps me a lot…It helps me kind of release some tension. So, I would say a lot of positivity.” 

Martinez’s work with Andreeva pays off as the teenager gets better with each passing day. She has quite a bit to look forward to, especially as she continues to grow in the sport. For now, she needs to find a way to overcome her next opponent.