Mirra Andreeva, the newly crowned French Open champion, has revealed that talk of her emulating Emma Raducanu's US Open triumph once 'disturbed' her. The 19-year-old Russian secured her first Grand Slam title on Saturday by defeating Polish qualifier Maja Chwalinska 6-3 6-2 in the final at Roland Garros.
Andreeva's Rise to Glory
Andreeva became the youngest women's singles champion at the French Open since 1992, surpassing expectations and silencing critics. Her journey to the top has been marked by both promise and setbacks. In 2023, as a 16-year-old, she reached the fourth round at Wimbledon, drawing immediate comparisons to Raducanu, who won the US Open in 2021 as a qualifier at age 18.
Pressure of Comparisons
Andreeva candidly admitted that the pressure of being likened to Raducanu weighed heavily on her. 'Of course, in 2021 Raducanu did an amazing job. Everyone was impressed. But me, I just try to not think about it. I think it will disturb me, all these thoughts,' she said at the time. She emphasized her focus on playing each point without regard for the round or opponent.
Despite her early promise, Andreeva fell short at Wimbledon in 2023, losing to Madison Keys in a dramatic three-set match after having a point docked for throwing her racket. She endured further disappointments, including a French Open semifinal in 2024 and a Wimbledon quarterfinal in 2025.
Patience Pays Off
However, those experiences proved invaluable. Andreeva's perseverance and hard work culminated in her Paris triumph. While her path to a Grand Slam title took a slightly longer and less direct route than Raducanu's, the 19-year-old is now savoring her achievement. 'I just try to play every point. Doesn't matter against who. Doesn't matter which round. I just play my game,' she reflected.
With the trophy in hand, Andreeva can finally put the comparisons behind her and carve out her own legacy in tennis.
