Andreeva is not afraid of Swiatek: "She is number one, but she is human"

Carlos Navarro | 17 Aug 2024 | 02.45

Mirra Andreeva, alongside her coach, Conchita Martínez. Source: Getty

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Mirra Andreeva continues to amaze the world with a stellar level of tennis. At only 17 years old, the Russian player, now under the supervision of Conchita Martínez, exudes extraordinary confidence in her abilities and is demonstrating this with results that promise a growth as consistent as it is inspiring. In the WTA Cincinnati 2024, she has already reached the quarterfinals after avenging her loss at Roland Garros against Jasmine Paolini. However, perhaps what surprises the most is her boldness, courage, and self-assurance as she speaks on Tennis Channel about her upcoming challenge, facing Iga Swiatek, whom she believes she can defeat without a shadow of a doubt.

- Impressive tennis level and comeback to defeat Jasmine Paolini: it all started with a trip to the bathroom

"She started very well, knowing she would play very fast, especially on such a quick surface. I knew it would be challenging for me, and it was. We broke each other's serve right at the beginning, in the first set I struggled a lot to find my game, it was difficult to get into a rhythm. I went to the bathroom and took some time to think about the things I needed to change, what I had to do to win. I decided that, at the very least, I had to go all out on my service games, as that shot gives you an advantage to start the points. I started playing more aggressively, going for it, thinking that at the very least I had to hold my serve. Doing that, I knew I was always a game ahead; finally, at 4-3, I managed to break her serve and felt even more confident. That's when I started hitting some aces, kept playing aggressively, not waiting for her to make mistakes. She loosened up a bit towards the end of the match, with some incredible crosscourt backhands, making it very tough for me. I tried to keep the ball in play and not wait for her to make errors."

- The mental game she experiences on the court: is she usually positive with herself during a match?

"No, not really (laughs). When things are going well, when I fight and am leading in the score, then yes, I'm positive. However, if I start losing, if I give away a break and it's 1-3 or 2-4, I start being a bit hard on myself. I try to push myself in my mind. I need to change that a bit, maybe, because being more positive would be good for me, but for now, the path of toughness is working, so I think I'll stick with it (laughs)."

- She always seems completely focused on the court; does anything change off the court? Does she listen to music to motivate herself before a match?

"No, I think I'm one of the few tennis players who doesn't listen to any music before a match. I like to listen and pay attention to what's happening around me. Right now, I feel like I need to stay in my moment, listening and observing people, not diversifying my attention too much, being mindful of what's going on. That's all."

- Tomorrow, a tremendous challenge: Iga Swiatek in the quarterfinals

"I'm ready. It's clear that she is the number one in the world, but she's a human being, just like me: I don't think there's anything exceptional about her. She's playing great, always very confident when she steps onto the court... but so am I, I also feel that I play with a lot of confidence in myself. I will step onto the court and give my best: if the scales don’t tip in my favor this time, they will in the next. However, I will give my all to make things go my way tomorrow. Also, I think we're going to play on Center Court, and I loved Center Court the last time I played there, so I'm going for it."

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Andreeva no teme a Swiatek: "Es la número uno, pero es humana"

Mirra Andreeva