By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Thursday January 2, 2025
Mirra Andreeva, nonetheless nicely shy of 18 years of age, is off and working to a quick begin in 2025. Already into the quarterfinals on the Brisbane Worldwide, the Sixteenth-ranked Russian will face Ons Jabeur on Friday in Brisbane (Thursday evening within the US).
Coming into her third season on tour, Andreeva talked to reporters about what it has been wish to work with Conchita Martinez, whom she commenced work with in spring of final yr. It didn’t take lengthy for the tandem to hit stride, as Andreeva reached the final 4 at Roland-Garros final yr, turning into the youngest participant to succeed in that far in Paris since Martina Hingis in 1997.
She says that the Spaniard, who guided Garbine Muguruza to the Wimbledon title in 2017 and received Wimbledon herself in 1994, has taught her to be optimistic, at first.
Mirra Andreeva after beating Linda Noskova in Brisbane“Your growth and racing up the charts has been a pleasure to observe.”
Mirra: “Because of Conchita. She helped me enhance so thanks her. I do know generally it’s not straightforward to work with me. I feel she’s doing job so… pic.twitter.com/Km5SGfjGr0
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 2, 2025
“I’d say very first thing that she dropped at my recreation was positivity,” Andreeva, who will flip 18 in April, stated. “I am the one that would suppose destructive more often than not. Even final yr to start with of the yr. Now I am noticing that it was not proper, the best way I used to be considering, the best way I used to be approaching the matches, what sort of ideas I’ve throughout the match as nicely.”
Andreeva, who raced previous gifted teen Linda Noskova final evening in Brisbane, 6-3, 6-0, says she is extra skilled in all facets because of her time with Martinez.
She additionally believes that Martinez has helped her make use of extra variety – and aggression – in her recreation.
“After all, she introduced extra selection to my recreation,” she stated. “I really feel like I am type of fearless on court docket. I am not afraid to make errors in vital moments or when, for instance, I am going through a break level or down within the rating, I nonetheless attempt to play aggressive with the identical mindset. I’d say these are the issues that she dropped at my recreation and that she helped me to enhance.”
Andreeva, recognized for her fleet footedness and uncanny tennis IQ, can also be creating a really feel for taking the racquet out of her opponents’ palms when the scenario requires it.
“I’d say that I am extra aggressive, I am extra optimistic, I am calm, and I do not make as many silly errors as I’d,” she stated.
All of it makes for a really harmful participant, and one to observe in 2025, as she shakes freed from the WTA’s eligibility rule on her 18th birthday, and turns into free to compete in as many tournaments as she likes.
