Mirra Andreeva insists she would be “disturbed” if she started thinking about Emma Raducanu. The 16-year-old qualifier became the second-youngest woman since Maria Sharapova in 2003 to reach the fourth round of Wimbledon when she beat no. 22 seed Anastasia Potapova 6-2, 7-5 on Court 3.
But she shies away from comparison with the British 18-year-old who came through qualifying at the US Open in 2021 to lift the trophy in New York. “Of course, she did amazing job,” Andreeva said. “Everyone was impressed. She was impressive also to pass the quallies and to win the slam at 18. It’s amazing.
“But me, I just try to not think about it. I think it will disturb me, all these thoughts. I just try to play every match and don’t think how far I have gone already or which round I’m playing, or even against who I’m playing.”
Psst! It’s Madison Keys, by the way – a super-power contest between USA and Russia. Not that Andreeva necessarily wants to be seen as a flag-bearer for her native country in a year in which the All England Lawn Tennis Club were begrudgingly forced to accept players from her country even though war continues to rage in Ukraine.
“I haven’t felt any recriminations,” she says sagely. “I am just playing tennis.” Far rather, Andreeva urges with a demure smile but inner steeliness, she just be treated like any other teenager.
“Actually I’m just like normal girl,” Andreeva said. “I do everything that the girls my age do. I love to watch some series – most of my free time, I just watch Netflix – at least I am honest! Outside the court I’m still 16, and sometimes I can be like a kid. I can complain a lot about some stuff.
“On the court I just try to think only about tennis, about the game, about the next point. But outside the court I’m different. Oh, and I have to do my school I have no choice – I have to suffer for two more years, and that’s it!”
“But most of the time I watch Netflix. To be fair, at least I’m honest.” She makes no bones about preferring her own company and in that regard seems extra-ordinarily self-sufficient.
Failing that, though, her extended family back home in Russia are there to give her a leg up when needed – not least because they were all gathered together to celebrate Andreeva’s grandfather Petr’s birthday.
“Today especially is the birthday of my grandpa,” Andreeva said. “They were watching my match, like 50 people that they invited. Today I received much more support, much more kind messages from my family.”
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