Andreeva is ready: "Now I am more mature, I face the matches in a different way"

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Although she is only 19 years old, the reality is that we have been waiting for Mirra Andreeva to reach a Grand Slam final for some time now. Well, the day has come. This Saturday, she will fight to become the champion at Roland Garros after defeating Marta Kostyuk.

In the most spotlighted section of the draw, everyone insisted that the anticipated champion would emerge from here. Mirra Andreeva or Marta Kostyuk, that was the question. The Russian brought the answer with an impeccable first set and a second set where she endured the storm and delivered the final blow when the score demanded it. A display of maturity and tennis prowess that made Conchita Martínez smile more than once from the stands. Her pupil, whom she has been guiding for two seasons, is on the verge of making history at Roland Garros. But first, we need to hear her words in the press conference.

Mirra Andreeva reflects on her victory over Kostyuk at Roland Garros

“It was a very tough match for me. I am very happy with the level I played at today. Marta is a very tough opponent and has had an incredible season on clay, so I am very happy with the victory and how I played. Today, I was also very focused on everything I had to do on the court, very committed to the game plan we prepared with Conchita, my mindset, and every little detail. At some points, I could even see the tiny hairs on the ball when I tossed or hit it; I was really focused. I am very happy to have maintained that focus throughout the entire match."

Learning to manage emotions

“Before, when my serve was broken, I used to think, ‘Oh my God, it's the end of the world.’ I was obsessed with holding my serve and avoiding getting broken. Now, what I think is: ‘Well, she broke me… so what? Now I'll try to break her.’ Also, if I get nervous serving, she will probably get nervous too. I try to think like that and not dramatize.”

Conchita Martínez's influence, key in her daily routine

“We have talked a lot; she shares her experience and gives me many pieces of advice. But there were moments in my career when I would listen, although I would still do what I wanted; now I feel that I trust my team completely. If they tell me something, I just do it. Besides, this way, later on, I can blame them if it goes wrong (laughs). But yes, lately, I feel that I can trust them fully without hesitation.”

Potential final against her friend, Diana Shnaider

“It would be a very entertaining and interesting match. After winning in Rome, we talked, and she said, ‘I don't know what I'll do in Paris; I hate these clay courts.’ And I said, ‘You'll do great.’ Look at her now, she's in the semifinals; it would be incredible for both of us to share a final.”

Mirra Andreeva reveals improvements since her semifinal at Roland Garros 2024

“Two years ago, I was very thrilled just to be in the semifinals. I don't think I fully believed that I could keep winning matches. That also affected how I played in that semifinal, although Jasmine destroyed me in that match. Now, I feel I am a bit more mature and experienced; I can approach matches differently and truly focus on the opponent and the game plan. I definitely feel more experienced than last year, although I still feel like I have a lot to learn through victories and defeats.”

No complaints about the wind in Paris

“The conditions were tough for both of us; the wind was constantly changing. When the referee said they were going to close the roof because heavy rain was coming, I thought, ‘What a bad time,’ because I was leading 4-1. Then I told myself it was better than stopping the match completely. Later, I lost two games in a row, but I tried to stay focused and think point by point.”

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Andreeva está preparada: “Ahora soy más madura, afronto los partidos de otra manera”