Becoming a great champion before coming of age can be a double-edged sword. But not for Mirra Andreeva, who at 17 remains unfazed by money, fame, and media attention: “I know how to handle the pressure.”
The Russian tennis player entered the Top 10 for the first time after winning the WTA 1000 title in Dubai. On her way to the biggest title of her young career, she defeated three Grand Slam champions: Iga Swiatek, Elena Rybakina, and Marketa Vondrousova. With this feat, she became the first 17-year-old player to break into the world’s Top 10 since Nicole Vaidisova in 2007.
Her victory speech after beating Clara Tauson in the final included a reference to rapper Snoop Dogg, from when he was inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame: “Last but not least… I’d like to thank me. I know what I have been dealing with and I just want to thank me for always believing in me. I want to thank me for never quitting and always dealing with the pressure.”
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In this interview with CLAY, Andreeva also spoke about her meeting with Maria Sharapova at Wimbledon 2024. Fortunately for the young star, the five-time Grand Slam champion gave her her phone number: “She told me that if I ever needed anything, I could call or text her and she would help me.”
Interview with Mirra Andreeva
– What is it like to play on a tour where 99% of the people are older than you?
– I’d say I’m good, I don’t find it hard because I play and train at the same level as everyone else. It was a bit hard for me because I couldn’t see my family that often, but now we try to travel together most of the time.
Mirra pretty much quoting Snoop Dogg is iconic behavior. 😂👑 pic.twitter.com/VuA66KsA9J
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) February 22, 2025
– And what do you do when you’re not training?
– When I have a day off or some free time at the hotel, I like to relax. I don’t like to do much, but sometimes I go for a walk and chat with my family about something. I’m a very calm and relaxed person, so I think I’m pretty easy.
– You’re a superstar at 17, how difficult is it to handle fame and pressure at such a young age?
– There’s a lot of pressure, but I just know how to manage it, how to deal with it. In my second year on the WTA Tour, when I had to defend points, it was a bit difficult because I realized what real pressure is; before, I just played and tried to win a few points, so that was the first time I faced that pressure. I’ve talked a lot with Conchita (Martínez), with my family, and with my friends about it, and now I know better how to handle it.
– At the beginning of the year, you mentioned that there were moments when you still felt like a child. Is it hard to miss out on everything that most people experience in their adolescence?
– I would say my mom is the one who misses that the most because she’s noticing that I’m growing up and becoming a woman, so that’s really hard for her. For my family, I’ll always be the little girl, little Mirra. For me, it’s not that hard because I’m still the same. Sometimes I can have fun and joke around, but I can also be serious, especially when I’m on the court.
– In tense moments, you display a very clinical game, with maximum concentration. Have you always had this quality? Is it something very difficult to master?
– Honestly, I feel like I’ve had that since I started playing. I’ve always been very small and skinny, so I never had much power or strength. I had to find a way to beat the bigger girls. That’s how I started reading the court well. I’ve had that smart game from the beginning, and now I’m trying to maintain it, but at the same time add a bit of aggressiveness and power to my shots.
Hopefully they finally had this conversation 👇https://t.co/KFrNSi0yA0 https://t.co/BiT2ynJyCd
— Clay (@_claymagazine) June 29, 2024
– You often mention your admiration for Maria Sharapova. What is your relationship with her like?
– I’ve only seen her once, at Wimbledon 2024. We had a little chat for about twenty or thirty minutes. I hadn’t had the chance before, and when my team told me that if I wanted to meet her I said, “Oh my God!” I was very nervous before meeting her, but she was very kind, and in fact, I now have her number. She gave it to me and told me that if I ever needed anything, I could call or text her, and she would help me. I haven’t written to her yet because I don’t know what to say.
– Another player you talk a lot about is Andy Murray. Do you see him as a potential member of you team at some point?
– Right now, I have Conchita on my team, and he’s with Djokovic. Of course, there’s always talk about great players and coaches who could work together, but it doesn’t work like that. I think Conchita and I have a great relationship, and we both enjoy working together, so for now, I’m not even thinking about it.
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