At just 17, Mirra Andreeva is making waves in the world of tennis, a fast-rising prodigy with her eyes set on the peak of this competitive sport. Even as her star shines brighter, she stays humble and grateful, attributing her success to the guidance of her famed coach, Conchita Martinez. Despite their partnership being a mere year old, Andreeva confesses, “It feels like we’ve known each other for an eternity.”
Under Martinez’s tutelage, Andreeva has scaled great heights, with a series of stunning achievements to her name. She’s had a Grand Slam semifinal appearance at Roland Garros, bagged her first-ever WTA title in Iași, and most recently, she clinched the coveted WTA 1000 crown in Dubai. This extraordinary journey, as Andreeva fondly recalls, began with a simple exchange of greetings.
Her victory in Dubai was a thrilling spectacle, where she left spectators and competitors alike stunned by defeating heavyweights like Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina. With this victory, she etched her name in history as the youngest player ever to win a WTA 1000 event. Andreeva seized the moment to express her gratitude towards her coach for guiding her to this pinnacle of success.
Their bond goes beyond the confines of the tennis court. During a press conference ahead of the Indian Wells Open, Andreeva confirmed Martinez’s support in her personal life as well. “Yes, she definitely does. It’s incredibly special having her by my side,” she admitted. This symbiotic relationship was something the young Russian hadn’t foreseen.
Recounting their first meeting, Andreeva remembers a friendly woman who was always smiling at her. “I didn’t know who she was at the time. But this woman kept looking at me, smiling, and saying hello. I wondered, ‘Who is she? Why is she so friendly?’” Only later did she discover that the friendly woman was none other than Conchita Martinez, the former Wimbledon champion, ex-World No. 2, with an impressive 33 singles titles under her belt, and a coach to former World No.1s Karolina Pliskova and Garbine Muguruza.
Their professional journey began at the 2024 Open Capfinances Rouen Métropole in April. Andreeva, under the guidance of Martinez, displayed exceptional skill by defeating Nadia Podoroska with an impressive 6-1, 6-3 score in just 1 hour and 15 minutes. This was the beginning of a successful partnership that felt incredibly natural to Andreeva, both on and off the court.
Approaching their first anniversary, the dynamic duo is prepping for their first Indian Wells Open together. Andreeva, who experienced an early exit against Katie Volynets in the first round last year, is poised for a deeper run this time with Martinez by her side. She cherishes her coach’s advice, demonstrating that their partnership is built on mutual trust and growth.
Andreeva’s career trajectory took an exponential leap once she joined forces with Martinez. Her fearless attitude under Martinez’s influence led her to the quarterfinals of the Madrid Open, a semifinal appearance at Roland Garros, and her first WTA title at the Iași Open. She attributes this newfound fearlessness to Martinez. Recalling a grueling match against Marie Bouzkova, she said, “I chose to take a risk, and it paid off.”
Their bond transcends the professional realm. When questioned if Martinez had learned anything from her, Andreeva responded with a light-hearted jest, “Her sense of humor has certainly improved since teaming up with me!”
As they gear up for their first Indian Wells Open together, the stakes are high for Andreeva. Can she make a deeper run this time under the guidance of Martinez? Will this be another stepping stone in their already impressive journey? Only time will tell.
