In the early days of 2025, Mirra Andreeva says she’s smiling more—and that’s thanks to the International Tennis Hall of Famer who’s only been her coach for less than a year. Through to the semifinals of the WTA 500 Brisbane International to start her season, the 17-year-old says that Conchita Martinez’s “positivity” is chief among the lessons she’s already learned from the former Wimbledon champion.
“Well, I think I’m known, I’m the person who would think negative most of the time. Even last year in the beginning of the year. Now I’m noticing that it was not right, the way I was thinking, the way I was approaching the matches, what kind of thoughts I have during the match as well,” Andreeva said this week, where she’s beaten Anna Blinkova, Linda Noskova and Ons Jabeur without losing a set.
“When we started working together, she definitely brought up some positive. Now when I miss, for example one year ago, Oh, my God, I cannot play tennis, why am I doing this? If I compare myself to this day, I would say, Well, it’s okay. It was a good miss. We just keep working. For example this is the difference.”
SInce her 2023 WTA breakthrough, where she was named the tour’s most impressive newcomer, Andreeva has continued on a steady upward trajectory to her current perch of world No. 16, and last year became the youngest Grand Slam semifinalist in nearly three decades when she reached the last four at Roland Garros.
Bith her 18th birthday looming in April, the removal of age restrictions around how many tournaments she can play along with it, and Martinez’s guidance, all signs are pointing towards even greater things for the prodigious young talent over the next 12 months.
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