In the high-stakes world of professional tennis, where every point counts, Mirra Andreeva has emerged as a formidable force at just 17 years old. Under the guidance of her coach, Conchita Martinez, the 1994 Wimbledon champion and International Tennis Hall of Famer, Andreeva has skyrocketed to a career-high World No. 6, claiming WTA 1000 titles in Dubai and Indian Wells in 2025. Yet, despite her meteoric rise and a game described as “complete” by Martinez, the Spanish coaching legend has pinpointed one critical area where the “feisty” Russian teenager must improve: her serve. “The serve is something she needs to work on,” Martinez said, emphasizing its importance in elevating Andreeva’s already impressive game to new heights.
Andreeva’s journey from a promising talent to a top-10 player has been nothing short of remarkable. Born in Siberia and now based in Cannes, France, she burst onto the scene with a semifinal run at the 2024 French Open, becoming the youngest major semifinalist since Martina Hingis in 1997. Her partnership with Martinez, which began in April 2024 at the Rouen Open, has been a game-changer. The duo’s chemistry, blending Martinez’s tactical acumen with Andreeva’s youthful exuberance, has yielded three titles, including back-to-back WTA 1000 crowns. Andreeva’s victories over top players like Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka in Dubai and Indian Wells underscore her potential to dominate. “She’s feisty, she’s fun, and she’s improving every day,” Martinez noted, praising her pupil’s competitive spirit.
However, Martinez, who once reached World No. 2 and won 33 singles titles, knows that greatness demands precision in every facet of the game. Andreeva’s serve, while effective, lacks the consistency and power needed to compete consistently against the tour’s elite. Data from 2025 shows Andreeva winning 69 percent of points behind her first serve, up from 64 percent in 2024, but her first-serve percentage has dipped, and she struggles to generate free points with aces or unreturnable serves. Martinez believes refining this aspect could make Andreeva nearly unstoppable. “The serve is a weapon that can change a match,” Martinez explained, drawing from her own experience as a clay-court maestro who relied on placement and variety.
Martinez’s coaching philosophy with Andreeva balances technical improvement with mental grounding. Beyond the serve, she has worked to make Andreeva’s game more aggressive, encouraging her to step into points and dictate play rather than rely solely on her stellar defensive skills. “Conchita is helping me to not be defensive all the time, when I have a chance to step in and try to be aggressive and to go for my shots,” Andreeva said after a win in Indian Wells. This shift has paid dividends, with Andreeva’s dominance ratio—a measure of return points won versus serve points lost—climbing from 1.14 to 1.22 in 2025. Martinez also focuses on footwork, forehand consistency, and net play, but the serve remains the priority.
Off the court, Martinez plays a dual role as mentor and “cool aunt,” fostering a relationship filled with laughter and trust. Andreeva, a self-professed tennis history buff who watches old matches on YouTube, initially didn’t recognize Martinez at tournaments but now thrives under her guidance. “I feel very comfortable telling her everything that happens in my life,” Andreeva shared, highlighting their bond. Martinez, in turn, keeps Andreeva grounded, warning against the pressure to chase Grand Slam titles too soon. “We need to be very humble and continue to work to try to get better every day—physically, mentally, tennis-wise,” Martinez said, emphasizing process over results.
Andreeva’s serve struggles were evident in her recent Stuttgart loss to Ekaterina Alexandrova, where she won just 58 percent of first-serve points. Martinez sees these setbacks as opportunities, urging Andreeva to stay patient. “She has no limits,” Martinez said, envisioning a future where Andreeva could claim multiple Grand Slams if she refines her serve and maintains her work ethic. Boris Becker, a tennis icon, recently hailed Martinez as “one of the very best coaches tennis has ever seen,” crediting her for Andreeva’s 12-match winning streak earlier this year.
As the clay season unfolds, with the Madrid Open underway, Andreeva faces a pivotal moment. A stronger serve could unlock her potential on the slower surfaces where Martinez once thrived. With her coach’s wisdom and her own relentless drive, Andreeva is poised to transform a weakness into a weapon, inching closer to tennis immortality. For now, Martinez’s message is clear: keep working, stay humble, and let the results follow.