Despite her age, Russian tennis prodigy Mirra Andreeva has been carving a name for herself in the sports world. However, a recent defeat in Miami has seen her subjected to a barrage of vitriolic and deeply offensive messages.
The 17-year-old’s impressive 13-match winning streak came to a halt on Sunday night, when she was defeated by Amanda Anisimova with a 7-6 (5) 2-6 6-3 loss in the second round in Miami. Prior to this match, Andreeva had showcased her prowess by clinching back-to-back WTA 1000 titles in Dubai and Indian Wells, defeating formidable opponents such as Iga Swiatek, Elena Rybakina, and Aryna Sabalenka.
However, instead of receiving support after her Miami loss, Andreeva found herself at the receiving end of a torrent of abuse. The messages, which were both derogatory and malignant, even included wishes for the young athlete to be diagnosed with cancer. The world’s number 6 female tennis player shared some of these messages in a now-deleted Instagram post, captioning it with a poignant statement: “And this is what you get when you lose 1 match.”
Andreeva had previously expressed her eagerness and determination to perform well at the Miami tournament, following her victory over Sabalenka in the Indian Wells final. She had stated her intention to win as many matches as possible in Miami, while also expressing her excitement about participating in the tournament for the first time.
Despite her loss in Miami marking her tournament debut, Andreeva had shown no signs of faltering, crushing Veronika Kudermetova 6-0 6-2 in her opening match.
Following her early exit from the Miami tournament, Andreeva is now shifting her focus to the upcoming clay swing, where she aims to excel. Such resilience in the face of adversity is a testament to the young athlete’s unwavering determination and passion for the sport. This incident serves as a stark reminder of the undue pressures and scrutiny young athletes often face, and the importance of fostering a supportive environment in the realm of professional sports.