Mirra Andreeva, a 17-year-old tennis player from Russia, created a big surprise at Roland Garros 2024 by defeating Aryna Sabalenka, who was one of the favorites to win the tournament. Andreeva’s remarkable performance in the quarterfinals has caught everyone’s attention, and her post-match comments brought smiles to the audience.
A Memorable Win
Mirra Andreeva, born in Krasnoyarsk, Russia, had a tough start, losing the first set in a tie-break. However, she came back stronger in the next two sets and outplayed Sabalenka, who was not at her best due to some health issues that required medication during the match. Despite Sabalenka’s condition, Andreeva’s victory remains impressive.
Nerves and Determination
Ranked 38th in the world, Andreeva faced Sabalenka, who had easily won their previous two encounters. So, how did the young Russian manage to win this time? Andreeva herself was amazed:
“At the second match point, I didn’t even remember the score. I tried to imagine I was defending a break point, played bravely, and somehow managed to win,” she said, still in slight disbelief.
Crowd Support
Playing in front of a large crowd can be nerve-wracking, especially for a teenager. Andreeva admitted she was very nervous before the match, knowing Sabalenka would have more crowd support. However, she was pleasantly surprised by the cheers she received:
“I was really nervous because I knew Sabalenka would have the crowd’s support. But you all cheered for me too. I didn’t expect that. Thank you very much,” Andreeva expressed, which was met with applause from the audience.
Forgetting the Plan
When asked by interviewer Mats Wilander about her game strategy, Andreeva’s response was both humorous and honest:
“Tactics? I don’t know. I just watch the game, see an open spot on the court, and try to hit there. My coach and I had a plan, but I forgot everything. I just played how I felt,” she said with a laugh. Her coach, Conchita Martinez, a former Wimbledon champion, couldn’t help but smile at this.
Looking Ahead to the Semifinals
In the semifinals, Andreeva will face Jasmine Paolini from Italy, who defeated Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina. Reflecting on their previous match in Madrid, Andreeva knows it will be a challenging game:
“I played against her in Madrid. It was a tough match, mentally and physically. She thinks and moves quickly on the court. I expect it to be similar to today, and I’ll try to stay calm and focused,” Andreeva concluded.
Andreeva’s unexpected victory and charming personality have made her a favorite among tennis fans, and everyone is excited to see how she performs in the upcoming semifinals.