Mirra Andreeva, 16, made history when she advanced to the third round of the French Open.
The key to success?
– Maybe, as my trainer says, not to be a diva, she says.
Andreeva has gone like a train in her grand slam debut.
The 143-ranked Russian reached the main tournament the long way by winning three qualifying matches.
On Thursday, the saga continued, when she won the second round against home hope Diane Parry (ranked 79) – after cleaning up the match in one hour and 17 minutes.
Reveals the secret to success
After the win, she was asked what is behind the success.
– Maybe, as my coach says, not to be a diva. To continue to be humble all the time, she tells AP.
In previous interviews, Andreeva has also said that she has a top male player to thank for her success – namely former British world number one Andy Murray.
At the press conference after the win in the first round, the 16-year-old revealed that she had text messages with Murray before the tournament, who should have wished her luck.
– Maybe that’s why I’m playing so well now, she said according to the BBC.
With the promotion, she has now entered the history books – as one of only seven players under the age of 17 to make it past the second round of the French Open.
Among the previous players who succeeded in the feat are greats such as Martina Hingis and Serena Williams.
Grew up in Siberia
Like Serena Williams, Andreeva also has a successful sister, named Erika (ranked 147 in the world).
And the 18-year-old elder sister also came very close to progressing from the main draw in her French Open debut, forcing a three-setter against American Emma Navarro in the first round.
According to New York Times the sisters have been training together since little sister Mirra was six years old. Early on they showed evidence of great talent and to enable their continued investment, the family moved from Krasnoyarsk in Siberia to the significantly sunnier and “tennis-friendly” Sochi on the Black Sea.
A move that in many ways is similar to the one Maria Sharapova’s family made, before they chose to emigrate to the United States.
However, the Andreeva siblings have chosen to stay in Europe, as in recent years they have been training at an academy in Cannes, France.
Got to meet another teenager
As recently as a month ago, Mirra, then still 15 years old, had her big break on the WTA tour when she defeated top 20 player Beatriz Haddad Maia at the Madrid Open.
In the next round, the Russian super promise faces another teenager, namely 19-year-old Coco Gauff, who is seeded sixth in the tournament.
– She is an experienced player. I’m sure it will be a good match, Andreeva told AP.
2023-06-01 18:19:22
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