The tennis world is abuzz about 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva, who has stormed into the WTA Top 10 after clinching her first WTA 1000 title in Dubai. Turning pro at just 15, Andreeva posted a 39-9 record on the ITF Circuit in 2022 before breaking into the Top 50 in the WTA rankings in 2023, earning herself the WTA Newcomer of the Year award. Last year, Andreeva made it to her first Grand Slam semifinals at Roland Garros, turning heads. And now, after defeating Clara Tauson in the final of the Dubai Tennis Championships, she sits at No. 9 in the ratings even before celebrating her 18th birthday. But while she has achieved her recent success with finesse and poise, Andreeva was once a typhoon, and Serena Williams’ ex-coach remembers it well!
Following the Dubai final, Andreeva exuded wisdom, quoting the basketball titan LeBron James: “It’s easy to be confident & play good when everything goes your way, but what makes you a champion is when you’re giving your best when you don’t feel great.” This mindset helped her maintain composure during the high-stakes match against Tauson, culminating in her victory. Rennae Stubbs weighed in with her thoughts on the teenager’s emphatic performance.
Speaking to Caitlin Thompson on her podcast, Stubbs noted, “Mirra Andreeva, to me, is similar in a lot of ways because she was such a mental case on the court at times. And I was like, ‘Is this kid ever going to reel this in?’ And now she looks like a completely different player. I mean, it’s the same as Roger Federer when he was a junior; he was a psycho!” Stubbs drew parallels between Andreeva and Federer, highlighting their early struggles with on-court behavior.
Tennis – French Open – Roland Garros, Paris, France – June 5, 2024 Russia’s Mirra Andreeva during her quarter final match against Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka REUTERS/Lisi Niesner
Speaking of on-court struggles, remember Andreeva’s meltdown at the 2023 French Open against Coco Gauff? In that chaotic match, Gauff was leading 5-4. However, a poor shot at the net gave Andreeva the edge in the tiebreak. Despite wasting set points and getting a warning for hitting the ball into the stands, the Russian won the set with a swinging volley. However, she lost her cool in the second set, smashing her racket as Gauff took control. Andreeva’s behavior was reminiscent of Roger Federer‘s early days.
As a junior, Federer was known for being a “hothead” on the court, often throwing his racket in frustration. He even claimed that his parents were “ashamed” of him, which led them to stop attending his matches. Eventually, as he transitioned to professional tennis, the Swiss significantly improved his on-court demeanor and turned out one of the most composed players on the tour, hardly ever losing his calm, even in the most frustrating situations. Stubbs sees a similar transformation in Andreeva.
The Aussie also warns players “should be afraid” of Andreeva. Despite being on the tour for just about a couple of years, Andreeva seems to have “switched on to what works now and what is successful.”
Interestingly, after her Dubai success, Andreeva thanked her coach for tolerating her despite being a “pain in the a**.”
Mirra Andreeva is grateful for the coach’s guidance despite her being diffcult
Mirra Andreeva’s title triumph in Dubai left fans speechless. What’s behind her meteoric rise? Enter Conchita Martinez, the former Wimbledon champion who has reshaped Andreeva’s game since they joined forces a year ago. Under Martinez’s guidance, the Russian has achieved incredible milestones. This includes her first Grand Slam semifinal at Roland Garros and her maiden WTA title in Iași. Now, she’s lifted her biggest trophy yet in Dubai, and her gratitude for Martinez is evident.
Post-victory, Andreeva was emotional, thanking herself for believing in her abilities, but her most heartfelt message was for Martinez. “Especially thanks to Conchita. I know that I can be a pain in the a**. But you have always been there for me, and it feels great to lift this title together. And I hope that we can lift many more trophies together,” she said.
Their partnership goes beyond the professional realm; Martinez is not just a coach but also a confidante. Andreeva feels comfortable sharing everything with her, even joking about trying to “piss her off” just to see her reaction. It’s clear that Martinez has become an integral part of Andreeva’s life and career.
Even at the 2025 Australian Open, Andreeva reflected on her relationship with Martinez, saying, “Just feels like I’ve known her for a long time.” Though they’ve only worked together for a year, their bond is incredibly strong. Andreeva’s words highlight the constant support she receives from Martinez, both on and off the court. Are you backing Mirra Andreeva to win a GS title under Martinez’s guidance? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
The post “He Was a Psycho”: Serena Williams’ Ex-Coach Uncovers Explosive Attitude Parallels Between Mirra Andreeva and Junior Roger Federer appeared first on EssentiallySports.
