At just 17, Russian tennis sensation Mirra Andreeva has displayed a level of humility that is as stunning as her on-court prowess. Despite her meteoric rise on the tennis tour, Andreeva admits to a sense of bewilderment at the adulation she is receiving from fans. The young star, who recently clinched her most significant career title in Dubai and broke into the top 10 rankings, is still attempting to comprehend her newfound status as a crowd-pleaser.
The extent of Andreeva’s popularity became evident during her stint at Indian Wells, where she has advanced into the quarterfinals. The crowd’s unabated support, even as she decimated former champion Elena Rybakina with a 6-1, 6-2 victory, has left Andreeva in a state of pleasant surprise. This victory extends her winning streak to an impressive nine matches.
Andreeva’s career trajectory has seen a significant boost in Europe and the Middle East, with notable performances at the Madrid Open, French Open, and Wimbledon. Her crowning achievement came last month when she became the youngest player in history to win the WTA 1000 at the Dubai Tennis Championships.
However, her success story has been slightly marred by her performance in America. Prior to this month, she had yet to register a victory at Indian Wells. Additionally, she hasn’t participated in the Miami Open, and her best showing at a major tournament was a quarter-final appearance in Cincinnati last year.
Despite these setbacks, fans at Indian Wells have rallied behind the young prodigy, filling the stands for her matches. The overwhelming support was evident when she ousted Rybakina in the round of 16. Expressing her surprise, Andreeva said, “I don’t know why people are supporting me this much, because honestly, when I was playing in [the] US, my results were not great.”
She reflected on her past performances, adding, “Last year here I lost in the first round. At the US Open, twice I lost in the second round. So I don’t know why people are supporting a lot for me, but no, it feels great.”
Despite her surprise, Andreeva is clearly appreciative of the fan support. She commented on how fans stayed till the end of the match despite the late hour and chilly weather conditions. She spoke of the energy she feels from the crowd, saying, “I just kind of feel their energy. It kind of lights me up a little bit, and after, it’s actually a bit easier to play.”
With her eyes set on the quarter-final clash with Elina Svitolina, Andreeva is hoping for continued fan support. While she has never faced Svitolina before, she is prepared for a fight. “I know that she’s a fighter, she runs for every ball. Now she’s also playing a little bit more aggressive,” she said, showing her readiness for the battle ahead.
