Andreeva: "I felt the pressure of the people expecting me to win practically all the tournaments, and that was not easy"

Andrés Tomás Rico | 7 Jan 2026 | 18.16

Andreeva: "I felt the pressure of people expecting me to win practically all the tournaments, and that was not easy." Photo: Gettyimages

Streaming ATP Delray Beach live tennis

🎾 Tristan Schoolkate vs Coleman Wong

Sign up with Bet365 here
Make your first deposit of at least €5
Go to the “Live” section and watch every match

Watch the match on Bet365

Mirra Andreeva is 18 years old, but she has started her fourth season as a professional tennis player, after surprising everyone at that 2023 Mutua Madrid Open when she was just 16 years old. Since then, pressure and expectations have been on her, and the Russian player is living up to them so far.

With two WTA 1000 titles in hand (Dubai and Indian Wells), Grand Slam semifinals (Roland Garros 2024), reaching the number five spot in the world rankings, and defeating top players on the circuit like Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, or Elena Rybakina, among others. However, the pressure to win a Grand Slam escalated with her strong start in 2025, and after bowing out in the quarterfinals of Wimbledon, her physical condition and game reached a breaking point leading to an inconsistent end to her season.

Therefore, the Russian is eager to prove herself again and become a top contender for any title. Before heading to the 2026 Australian Open, she is warming up at the 2026 WTA Brisbane, where she debuted with a victory, although she had to mount a comeback against local player Olivia Gadecki with a score of 4-6, 6-1, 6-2. After this victorious start in 2026, Andreeva faced the press to discuss the match and the pressure she faced last year.

A Demanding Start, But with a Happy Ending

"It's never easy to start a season, but I'm happy to have won today. It wasn't an easy match against Olivia. She's a tough opponent, so I'm pleased with the win and to begin the season on a good note."

"At first, I felt she was more confident. I felt she was going for her shots, playing very aggressively, pushing me to my limits. It had been a while since I last played, so it was tough for me. I felt she was outplaying me. I went to the bathroom, tried to break her rhythm, stay calm, and play my game. Then, point by point, I tried to stay in the match and in the end, things turned in my favor. I kept going, trying to play aggressively and not give her the chance to dictate on the court."

Seeking the Right Mindset Before Each Tournament

"I can say that after winning the title in Dubai, and perhaps even before winning, I felt very down. I don't know what happens to players who win big tournaments, they always say that before the tournament they didn't feel in top form, that obviously, that wasn't the tournament they were going to win."

"I guess by not expecting much from myself, I started playing well. Then I started believing in myself, and that's how I won the tournament. After that, I tried to maintain the same mindset. You know, until the end of the year, sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't. That's why I didn't win all the tournaments I participated in, obviously. I just try to play with the mindset I had in the tournaments I won, and I think maybe that's the key. I have no idea. I don't have enough experience to say."

Mirra Andreeva Confesses How She Learned to Deal with Pressure and Expectations

"I felt the pressure from many people, especially after winning the two tournaments in Dubai and Indian Wells, I felt people expected me to win in Miami, and then they expected me to win in Madrid and Rome. And I thought that was practically impossible."

"Yes, I felt the pressure of people expecting me to win almost every tournament I participated in, and that wasn't easy, but last year I learned a lot about dealing with pressure, about not paying attention to what people say, and about talking about it. Because I talked a lot about how I felt with my team, and now I feel like I know more about this. I learned a lot from last year, and if that happens this year, I definitely know what to do about it."

About Her Comparison with Maria Sharapova or Emerson Jones with Ashleigh Barty

"She plays very well for her age, and I think if I had the chance to tell her something, I might say not to focus on what people say because many will tell her, 'You'll be the next Sharapova or the next Ash Barty'."

"You just have to focus on being who you are, that you have your own career and your own path. I am Mirra Andreeva. She is Emerson Jones. She's not going to be the next Ash Barty because Ash Barty has ended her career. She doesn't play anymore. She's going to have her own career, and I think she should focus on carving her own path in tennis."

About the Role Models She Looks Up To

"I feel like I've always wanted to be like Roger Federer, like Serena Williams, and like Rafa Nadal because I admired them and still do, for being the best players in the world. Sometimes I put pressure on myself, but now I've also learned that if I try to give my best in every match I play and at the same time enjoy the moment, then I realize that I'm just going to play and see what life brings, and I'm not going to put so much pressure on myself thinking I have to win a Grand Slam to be a successful player," says Mirra Andreeva, who despite being only 18 years old, already shows signs of a very mature player.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Andreeva: "Sentí la presión de que la gente esperaba que ganara prácticamente todos los torneos, y eso no fue fácil"