A version of this article first appeared in the June/July 2023 issue of Australian Tennis Magazine, one of the world’s longest-running tennis publications. For more in-depth features, news and analysis, you can subscribe now.
Mirra Andreeva became the world’s top-ranked junior girl during Roland Garros – but it was in the women’s singles draw where the 16-year-old made headlines.
And she has continued to thrive in her fledgling pro career, quickly transitioning to grass and reaching the final round of Wimbledon qualifying this week without losing a set. She had never before played a match on the surface.
The talented Russian became the youngest player to reach the third round in Paris in 18 years, with a stunning breakout performance that propelled her to the verge of the world’s top 100.
Arriving at Roland Garros ranked No.143, Andreeva won three qualifying matches in straight sets to earn her place in the draw. This included a final-round victory against world No.84 and top-seeded Colombian Camila Osorio.
READ MORE: WTA 'Big Three' now its top three
“I watched every Grand Slam all the time growing up. This is a dream to be here,” said Andreeva, who lives and trains in France. “Last year I was here as a junior, and I couldn’t even imagine that I can be playing women’s tournament here now.”
In her Grand Slam main-draw debut, Andreeva powered past former world No.18 Alison Riske-Amritraj in 56 minutes. She then defeated French hope Diane Parry in a similarly swift second-round encounter.
This set up an eagerly anticipated third-round showdown with fellow teen, 19-year-old American Coco Gauff.
“I think she plays beyond her years,” noted an impressed Gauff, the world No.6 and last year’s finalist, after prevailing in three sets.
Andreeva credits this “maturity” as the secret to her recent success.
“I just play, but I think I became more mature,” Andreeva said.
A heartbreaking loss in the girls’ singles final at this year’s Australian Open provided a major lesson.
“It really was a tough final because we’re best friends and we play doubles everywhere,” Andreeva said after being beaten by compatriot Alina Korneeva in an absorbing three-hour and 18-minute battle.
“I cried maybe over a week after the final, almost every day. But now I think there, maybe, was a God that decided this should have happened.”
Since then, the resilient Andreeva has barely lost a match. She has played 25 matches on the professional tour since April, winning 22 of them. This includes back-to-back top-20 victories at Madrid, where she reached the fourth round as a world No.194-ranked wildcard.
Andreeva defeated US Open 2021 finalist Leylah Fernandez, world No.14 Beatriz Haddad Maia and world No.19 Magda Linette without dropping a set.
This made her youngest player to reach that stage at a WTA 1000 event since their introduction in 2009. It also coincided with her 16th birthday, making the celebrations even sweeter.
“The atmosphere here is so special,” Andreeva told Tennis Channel during the tournament. “When you take lunch with all these stars, let’s say, you see Andy Murray... you see his face and he’s so beautiful in life. He’s so amazing.”
Her earnest reflections prompted former world No.1 Murray to tweet “imagine how good she’s going to be when she gets her eyes fixed”.
That glowing, albeit self-deprecating, endorsement went viral and propelled Andreeva further into the spotlight. Yet she is determined not to let such attention sway her focus.
“Of course, I feel confident, but it’s different between self-confidence and just confidence,” Andreeva said. “Because if you are too self-confident, then it will be not good for your career. Because you can go, as my coach says, as a diva. So, I just try to stay humble.”
Andreeva is happy to dream big though, candidly revealing her Grand Slam title target when talking to media at Roland Garros.
“I know that (Novak) Djokovic, he did 23 Grand Slams, so I want to go until 25, if it will be possible,” she said.
“But I will just play. For now, my goal is to win match by match.”
It is a fearless approach that is already delivering incredible results.
“I just don’t think about it. I just try to enjoy every moment,” Andreeva said of her ability to ignoring growing expectations and pressure.
“I’m just practising and living my life, and that’s it. I just do my things.”
Serena Williams, Steffi Graf and Iga Swiatek are the cover stars of the June/July 2023 issue of Australian Tennis Magazine.