“Before every match, I write down things that I know will help me when it comes to tennis, tactics, and mentality.” 17-year-old tennis sensation Mirra Andreeva’s revelation on her secret journal is one to look at. Was it the reason behind her back-to-back WTA 1000 title wins in Dubai and Indian Wells? One cannot say. But what’s certain is that this routine has had a key role in her rise against some of the best opponents she took down in the last few weeks. “So when I feel like I need a reminder, like I need to read something that would encourage me,” she told the Russian outlet Tennis BOL’SHE last week. But guess what? Naomi Osaka does the same thing.
Osaka’s overall 2025 season hasn’t gone down well so far. Although she started her journey on a good note, reaching the ASB Classic final, she had to withdraw due to the abdominal injury. Then in the Australian Open, too, it forced her out in the third round. Her comeback in nearly two months, at the Indian Wells, didn’t prove to be fruitful either. She was ousted in the first round after losing to Colombia’s Camilo Osorio. However, the dry run seems to have vanished this week at the Miami Open.
Osaka began her campaign with a stunning, yet hard-earned, victory on Tuesday. She beat Ukraine’s Yulia Starodubtsewa, 3-6, 6-4. 6-3. On Thursday, the Japanese star then continued the winning momentum in R64 encounter. Playing against Russia’s Liudmila Samsonova, Osaka appeared comfortable on the court and easily snatched the match (6-2, 6-4) in straight sets. However, what really caught the attention was Osaka writing down something, with utter focus, inside a notebook during the second round match.
The coach Patrick Mouratoglou was surely impressed. Taking to Instagram, he commended the former World No.1 while praising her approach. “Proud of your focus and determination throughout the whole match @naomiosaka.” Urging the fans to tune in for her upcoming match, he added, “Come support us on Saturday at the @miamiopen for the third round ”
Earlier this year, Naomi Osaka confirmed she began journaling before matches last year, stating she does it “quite frequently” with her coach, Patrick. “It doesn’t really make sense to anyone but me but I was basically trying to tell myself no matter what happens to play the way that I want to play in Melbourne and keep trying to go for the shots that I know I will have to make there” Osaka said explaining what she wrote in her notebook during her ASB Classic quarter-final. This practice, seen at the 2024 Miami Open and first observed at the Australian Open, appears to be a consistent part of her match routine.
During her first-round victory at the 2024 Italian Open, Naomi Osaka, who achieved her first Rome win since 2019 and her first top 50 clay-court win since 2019, was seen reading a notebook during a changeover. In a post-match interview with Tennis Channel, Osaka shared insights into why she keeps her notebook with her on court.
“For me just affirmations, I think there’s a lot of power in believing something and also writing it down and seeing it,” she said. “I hope you guys didn’t zoom in on it. I’m just trying as best as I can and any little thing that will help me get further, I’ll try my best to master it.”
Both Osaka and Andreeva are evidently finding success with their journaling routines, with Andreeva’s Indian Wells victory hinting at her immense potential. Serena Williams’ childhood coach, impressed by her approach, suggests this is just the beginning.
Rick Macci encourages young players to ‘take note’ of Mirra Andreeva’s on-court writing practice
After becoming the youngest WTA player since 2009 to win a 1000-level event, at 17 years and 299 days, in Dubai, Mirra Andreeva has only gone from strength to strength. In case you missed it, she’s been on a 12-match win streak already in the last one month. In Dubai, she dominated the likes of Iga Swiatek, Elena Rybakina, and Clara Tauson. Her victory also landed her a spot in top 10 for the first time, making a debut on the 9th spot. Momentarily, she got out of the list. But then came another invincible run in the Californian desert.
Andreeva cemented her place as one of the best rising WTA players in 2025 with her unparalleled performance. Once again, she took down strong contenders like Svitolina and Rybakina before outplaying Swiatek, again, in the semifinal. In the championship battle, she then avenged her previous defeats against World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka. In their last two meetings this season, the Belarusian took the better of Andreeva. But in Indian Wells, the teenager had the last laugh. And guess what?
Her second straight WTA 1000 win propelled her to a career-best World No.6 ranking. With that, she’s become the youngest player ranked inside top 6 since Maria Sharapova in 2005. Reflecting on the youngster’s rapid rise, and also her trait of keeping notes through a journal, former ATP legend and Serena Williams’ childhood trainer Rick Macci couldn’t resist himself from praising her.
Taking to X, on March 18, he wrote, “Players need to take note of this. Andreeva reading her Notes from her journal of fellow competitors on the changeover. Remember when you write it down read it see it smell it and touch it you lock it in your memory Bank. And this kid will take it to the Bank”
Now the big question is: can Andreeva make it three-in-three WTA 1000 titles in 2025? All eyes will be on her in the ongoing Miami Open when she begins her campaign against compatriot Veronika Kudermetova on Saturday. It will mark their first encounter in a professional match. What are your thoughts on the 17-year-old’s prospects in Florida? Let us know in the comments below.
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