The tennis scene is ablaze with talk of Mirra Andreeva, the 17-year-old prodigy who has made an electrifying entrance into the WTA Top 10, securing her first WTA 1000 laurel in Dubai. The Russian sensation turned pro at the tender age of 15 and amassed a 39-9 record in the ITF Circuit in 2022, catapulting into the WTA Top 50 in 2023. Her rapid rise won her the WTA Newcomer of the Year accolade, and her performance at the Roland Garros, where she reached her maiden Grand Slam semifinals, caught the world’s attention. Andreeva’s latest conquest, a victory over Clara Tauson at the Dubai Tennis Championships, elevated her to No. 9 in the global rankings, all before her 18th birthday. However, the path to her recent stardom was not always as smooth, a fact that Serena Williams’ former coach vividly recalls.
After her triumph in Dubai, Andreeva echoed the words of basketball legend LeBron James, demonstrating a wisdom beyond her years: “It’s easy to be confident & play well when everything goes your way, but true champions shine when they give their best in the face of adversity.” This philosophy helped her maintain her cool in the high-pressure face-off with Tauson, culminating in her win. The teen’s stellar performance elicited comments from veteran player Rennae Stubbs.
In a podcast conversation with Caitlin Thompson, Stubbs remarked, “Mirra Andreeva reminds me of a young Roger Federer. She was a mental storm on the court, and I often wondered if she would ever get grip of her emotions. Today, she seems like a whole new player, much like Federer, who was quite the hothead in his early career.” Stubbs drew a parallel between the early tumultuous on-court behaviour of Andreeva and Federer.
The 2023 French Open clash between Andreeva and Coco Gauff serves as a stark reminder of Andreeva’s past emotional struggles. In a match marked by chaos, Gauff was leading 5-4, but a misfired shot at the net swung the momentum in Andreeva’s favour. Despite squandering set points and earning a warning for hitting the ball into the stands, Andreeva secured the set with a spectacular volley. However, the second set saw her lose her composure, smashing her racket as Gauff dominated. This echoes the early days of Federer, who was notorious for his temper.
As a young player, Federer was infamous for his on-court tantrums, frequently hurling his racket in frustration. He admitted that his parents were so embarrassed that they stopped attending his matches. However, as he transitioned into professional tennis, Federer drastically modified his on-court demeanour, evolving into one of the most composed players on the tour. Stubbs sees a similar metamorphosis in Andreeva.
Stubbs also cautioned that Andreeva is a player to be wary of. Despite her relatively brief career, Andreeva seems to have discovered the formula for success.
In the aftermath of her Dubai victory, Andreeva expressed gratitude towards her coach for his patience despite her being difficult at times. The young champ’s triumph in Dubai left fans and critics in awe. The driving force behind her skyrocketing career? Conchita Martinez, the former Wimbledon champion who has been instrumental in refining Andreeva’s game since they started working together a year ago. Under Martinez’s tutelage, Andreeva has hit significant milestones, including her first Grand Slam semifinal at Roland Garros and her first WTA title in Iași. And now, she has added the Dubai trophy to her collection, her gratitude towards Martinez is palpable.
In her post-victory speech, Andreeva was visibly emotional, thanking herself for having faith in her abilities, but her most heartfelt thanks was reserved for Martinez. “Special thanks to Conchita. I know I can be a handful, but you’ve always stood by me. It feels amazing to win this title together. I hope we can lift many more trophies together,” she said.
Their relationship transcends the professional sphere; Martinez is more than just a coach to Andreeva, she’s a confidant. Andreeva is comfortable sharing everything with her, even attempting to irk her, just to gauge her reaction. It’s clear that Martinez has become an indispensable part of Andreeva’s life and career.
At the 2025 Australian Open, Andreeva shared, “I feel like I’ve known her forever.” Despite their association being just a year old, their bond is rock solid. Andreeva’s words underline the unwavering support she receives from Martinez, both on and off the court. Will Mirra Andreeva clinch a Grand Slam title under Martinez’s mentorship? Share your views in the comments section!