Mirra Andreeva began her Wimbledon campaign with a 7-5, 6-4 victory over Poland's Magda Linette, world No. 59, on Monday evening. The 19-year-old Russian, fresh off her maiden Grand Slam title at the French Open, is attempting to achieve the rare Roland Garros-Wimbledon double—a feat accomplished by only three women in the Open Era: Martina Navratilova, Steffi Graf, and Serena Williams.
Test of Resilience
Andreeva faced a stern test from Linette, who mixed spin and pace effectively, attacked the second serve, and came to the net judiciously. The low, lush grass-court bounce caught Andreeva off guard several times, and she even slid painfully on her right ankle. However, Andreeva relied on her powerful first serve, superior anticipation, and crushing groundstrokes to overcome the challenge. She demonstrated aggression and intent, adapting her game to the faster surface.
"Of course the feeling [of winning a grand slam] is unbelievable," Andreeva said. "But on the other side, you expect more from yourself, feel more pressure. People expect you to do well. Next time I will try to block out those thoughts, because I was thinking about that a little bit. But a win is a win, even though I was complaining a lot."
The Roland Garros Curse
The transition from clay to grass is notoriously difficult, with only three women in the modern era winning both titles in the same year. Recent French Open champions have struggled at Wimbledon: Garbiñe Muguruza lost in the second round in 2016, Ash Barty fell in the fourth round in 2019, and Coco Gauff was eliminated in the first round in 2024. Andreeva acknowledged the heightened expectations and media attention that come with being a Grand Slam champion.
Grass rewards a different style of play compared to clay. While clay demands patience and extended rallies, grass rewards impatience and the ability to finish points quickly. Andreeva's victory over Maja Chwalinska at Roland Garros showcased her staying power, but Wimbledon requires a more aggressive approach. Against Linette, Andreeva showed she can adapt, but consistency and footwork remain areas for improvement.
Looking Ahead
Andreeva will face Barbora Krejcikova in the second round—another player who has fallen victim to the Roland Garros curse. Despite her youth and occasional emotional outbursts on court, Andreeva has solved every challenge in her short career so far. As a Russian player, she may not receive the full backing of the Wimbledon crowd, but she remains focused on her goal.
"You expect more from yourself, feel more pressure," Andreeva said. "But a win is a win." With six more matches to go, Andreeva is just six wins away from joining the legends of the sport.
