Two years ago in Madrid, a star was born. Mirra Andreeva, at just 15 years of age, cruised her way into the last sixteen of the Mutua Madrid Open on her WTA 1000 bow. As if that weren’t enough, the teenager turned up at the Caja Magica twelve months later looking like she had never hurt a fly, her opponents fell for it and she waltzed her way to the quarterfinals. Once she steps onto a tennis court, she is a born killer. On both occasions Aryna Sabalenka was the only person who could stop her.
This year, though, Mirra is not fooling anyone. 2025 has seen her well and truly establish herself, and she doesn’t even turn 18 until 29 April. The young gun is already the world number 8, has claimed two WTA 1000 titles this season, and currently sits in third place in the Race to Riyadh. She is a true force of nature.
Looking back on that glorious debut two years ago: “It feels like it was yesterday. I’m so excited to be back in Madrid, I have good memories of it. I’ve adapted well to the clay. I’ve been training in Barcelona with Conchita and it took me a couple of days to transition. At the time I wasn’t thinking about what it meant to reach the last sixteen at that age”, she admitted.
As much as her team are wrapping her in cotton wool, Andreeva is well aware of the expectations surrounding her and the excitement she creates. She tries not to let it affect her, but it is not always that easy: “A lot of things are being said and sometimes you think about them, sometimes you think too much. I have a great team around me with whom I can share my feelings. Everyone tries to help me and now I know how to deal with this, it’s a little easier for me”. An old head on young shoulders.
The Mirra Andreeva – Conchita Martínez partnership is already a highly successful one. The Spanish coach joined forces with Andreeva over a year ago. You only have to hear them speak of one another to realise that they are very close. Each is full of praise for the other. Conchita enjoyed great successes with Garbiñe Muguruza and she is now proving that it was no fluke. She knows how to handle talent and get the most out of Mirra like nobody else can.
On Thursday, Andreeva will kick off her third participation in the Mutua Madrid Open on centre court. There is no doubt she has earned the honour. On the other side of the net will be Marie Bouzkova, who needed three sets to get past Mexico’s Renata Zarazua in round one. Just how far can Andreeva go this year in Madrid? The sky, perhaps, is her limit.
