By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Thursday January 2, 2025
Mirra Andreevastill very timid at 18, is out and off to a flying start in 2025. Already in the quarter-finals at the Brisbane International, the 16th-ranked Russian will face Ons Jabeur on Friday in Brisbane (the Thursday night in the US).
Entering her third season on tour, Andreeva spoke to reporters about what it’s been like to work with Conchita Martinez, with whom she began working in the spring of last year. It didn’t take long for the tandem to hit the ground running, as Andreeva reached the last four at Roland-Garros last year, becoming the youngest player to make it that far in Paris since Martina Hingis in 1997.
She says the Spaniard, who guided Garbine Muguruza to the Wimbledon title in 2017 and won Wimbledon herself in 1994, has taught her to be positive, first and foremost.
Mirra Andreeva after defeating Linda Noskova in Brisbane“Your development and climb up the charts has been a joy to watch.”
Mirra: “Thank you Konçita. She helped me get better so thank you. I know that sometimes it is not easy to work with me. I think she’s doing a good job, so… pic.twitter.com/Km5SGfjGr0
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 2, 2025
“I would say the first thing she brought to my game was positivity,” said Andreeva, who will turn 18 in April. “I’m the person who will think negatively most of the time. Even last year at the beginning of the year. Now I’m noticing that it wasn’t right, the way I was thinking, the way I was approaching matches, what thoughts I have during the match.”
Andreeva, who took on talented teenager Linda Noskova last night in Brisbane 6-3, 6-0, says she is more professional in all respects as a result of her time with Martinez.
She also believes Martinez has helped her use more diversity — and aggression — in her game.
“Definitely, it brought more variety to my game,” she said. “I feel like I’m fearless on the court. I’m not afraid to make mistakes in important moments or when, for example, I have a break point or drop in the score, I still try to play aggressively with the same mindset. I would say those are the things she brought to my game that helped me improve.”
Andreeva, known for her fleet footing and uncanny tennis IQ, is also developing a feel for prying the racket out of her opponents’ hands when the situation calls for it.
“I would say I’m more aggressive, I’m more positive, I’m calm and I don’t make as many stupid mistakes as I would,” she said.
It all makes for a very dangerous player and one to watch in 2025 as she is released from the WTA eligibility rule on her 18th birthday and free to compete in as many tournaments as possible that he likes.
