Mirra Andreeva might be a one-time hit or a prodigy- there’s no in between. After her electric win at Dubai, she’s all the talk of the ton- raw, fearless, and an unpredictable opponent who crashed hand-heavy favorites like Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina. According to Rick Macci—the coach who helped shape the legendary Serena Williams—her rise is only just beginning.

It isn’t surprising that Rick Macci doesn’t throw around praise lightly. What is shocking is how he seems to be fascinated by Mirra Andreeva. Having worked with Serena and Venus Williams during their formative years, he has firsthand experienced in recognizing championship DNA. His tweet from February 28th about Andreeva is filled with enthusiasm:

“She was an explosive Russian Firecracker when she came on tour. I love that COMPETITIVE RAGE for a young player playing in the BIGS.” He continued, “Early on, her temper cost her. That anger has matured into more determination and is a best friend. Number one around the corner.”

This is no small statement. Macci is essentially predicting that Andreeva has the potential to reach the very top of the sport—a feat that only a handful of players ever achieve. But what exactly makes Andreeva so special? This season the young Russian WTA icon seems to bring a fiery passion to the game that is costing slam winners like Iga Swiatek and Marketa Vondrousova fan-favorite matches.

Incredible shot-making but also an emotional edge that sometimes got the better of her marked Andreeva’s early days on the tour. Like many young players, frustration would creep into her game, and her temper led to on-court outbursts. But according to Macci, she has begun to harness that fire, turning what was once a weakness into an asset.

This evolution is critical in tennis. The sport is as much a mental battle as it is physical, and those who learn to control their emotions often find themselves lifting trophies. Serena Williams, for example, had moments of on-court frustration in her early years, but as she matured, that passion became an unstoppable force. Macci sees a similar transformation happening with Andreeva.

Mirra Andreeva takes it home, but this time with poise, says Rennae Stubbs

Looking back at Andreeva’s performance against Gauff in the French Open 2023, Serena Williams’ former coach Rennae Stubbs too relayed the image of a 16-year-old Mirra lighting up the court, raw talent on full display. But along with her incredible game came a fiery temper.

In a heated moment, she sent a ball flying into the crowd, nearly earning a disqualification. That intensity, while thrilling, often worked against her. Fast forward to 2025, and the transformation is almost unbelievable. The same player, now calm, collected, and the youngest WTA Finals champion. How did this happen?

Stubbs, recently revisited Andreeva’s match against Coco Gauff in 2023 and took to her podcast to talk about the same. Gauff, composed and strategic, had turned the match around that day. But today, Andreeva is a different player. According to Stubbs, she doesn’t let anything rattle her anymore.

Stubbs remarked, “I remember when she played Coco Gauff years ago at the French Open and won the first set. And literally in the second game is yelling and screaming. Like the first or second game of the second set is like yelling and screaming at her box. And I’m like, what is going on? You’ve just won the first set. Like, why are you throwing a racket, carrying on?”

The frustration was palpable in the voice of the veteran WTA coach that soon changed to a hopeful amusement as she commented on Andreeva’s current form. Per Stubbs, the youngest Dubai champion has made one thing clear now- “nothing bothers her on the court anymore.” And that, “She just, like, literally walks from one side to the other, never displays any pissed offness at all. It’s a remarkable change in the last 2-3 years.”

If Macci and Stubbs are right, we could be witnessing the birth of a future World No. 1. And if that happens, Macci’s tweet will go down as one of the first to have spotted the inevitable.