Posted by Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Thursday January 2, 2025
Mirra Andreevajust shy of 18 years old, he has started and is racing to start as soon as 2025. Already in the quarterfinals of the Brisbane International, the 16th-ranked Russian will face Ons Jabeur on Friday in Brisbane (Thursday night in the US).
Entering her third season on tour, Andreeva spoke to reporters about what it was like to work with Conchita Martinez, who she started working with last spring. It didn’t take long for the tandem to take off, as Andreeva reached the final four at Roland-Garros last year, becoming the youngest player to reach that stage in Paris since Martina Hingis in 1997.
He says that the Spaniard, who led Garbine Muguruza to win the Wimbledon title in 2017 and won Wimbledon in 1994, taught him to have a positive attitude, first and foremost.
Mirra Andreeva after beating Linda Noskova in Brisbane“Your progress and run to the top of the charts has been a joy to watch.”
Mirra: “Thank you to Conchita. You helped me to improve so thank you. I know sometimes it’s not easy to work with me. I think you are doing a great job with it… pic.twitter.com/Km5SGfjGr0
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 2, 2025
“I would say the first thing he brought to my game was a positive attitude,” said Andreeva, who will turn 18 in April. “I am the person who may think wrong most of the time. Even last year at the beginning of the year. Now I realize that it was wrong, the way I was thinking, the way I was approaching matches, the kind of thoughts I have during the game.”
Andreeva, who cruised past talented teenager Linda Noskova last night in Brisbane, 6-3, 6-0, says she is better in all aspects because of her time with Martinez.
He also believes that Martinez has helped him apply versatility – and aggressiveness – to his game.
“Yeah, he brought a lot of variety to my game,” he said. “I feel like I have no fear on the court. I am not afraid to make mistakes in important moments or when, for example, I am facing a break point or down in points, I still try to play aggressively with the same mentality. I can say that these are the things that he brought to my game and helped me improve.”
Andreeva, known for her sailing and uncanny tennis IQ, is also developing a knack for taking the racquet out of her opponents’ hands when the situation calls for it.
“I’d say I’m aggressive, I’m positive, I’m calm, and I don’t make as many stupid mistakes as I used to,” she said.
It all makes for a very dangerous player, and one to watch in 2025, as she waives the WTA eligibility rule on her 18th birthday, and is free to compete in as many tournaments as she likes.
