Mirra Andreeva, the 17-year-old Russian tennis prodigy, has taken the WTA Tour by storm, and her coach, 1994 Wimbledon champion Conchita Martinez, is both awestruck and inspired by the speed of her ascent. In a recent interview, Martinez reflected on the past year of their partnership, pinpointing what has surprised her most about Andreeva’s rise to World No. 6. “I think the progress, especially in the last couple of months, you know she just went up,” Martinez said, her voice tinged with amazement. “Winning Dubai and winning Indian Wells, that was a little bit… I don’t know, I don’t want to say she couldn’t do it, but it was a progress and all of a sudden it just went like a sky rocket.”
Andreeva’s journey from a promising teenager ranked No. 43 to a top-10 star has been nothing short of extraordinary. When Martinez began coaching her in April 2024 at the Rouen Open, Andreeva had yet to claim a WTA title. Fast forward to 2025, and the young Russian has not only secured her maiden title at the Iasi Open but also conquered two WTA 1000 events—Dubai and Indian Wells—becoming the youngest player to win such a title since 2009. Her victories over tennis titans like Iga Swiatek, Elena Rybakina, and Aryna Sabalenka have solidified her as a generational talent. “She’s a sponge, she learns very quickly,” Martinez noted, praising Andreeva’s ability to absorb and apply coaching advice with precision, whether it’s hitting with more spin or adjusting her footwork for explosive movement.
The partnership between Martinez and Andreeva is a blend of professionalism and playfulness, a dynamic that has fueled their success. Andreeva, known for her cheeky humor, recalled their early encounters with a grin: “I just saw one woman always looking at me, smiling, saying ‘hi.’ I’m like, okay, who is that? Why is she so friendly?” It wasn’t until later that she realized the smiling stranger was Martinez, a tennis legend with 33 singles titles and a storied coaching career, including guiding Garbiñe Muguruza to Wimbledon in 2017. “Since the first tournament that we had together, I just felt like I knew her for so long,” Andreeva said, describing a bond that feels like family. Their chemistry was evident in Stuttgart, where Andreeva faced her sister Erika in the first round, a match she won 6-2, 1-0 after Erika’s injury-forced retirement.
Martinez’s influence extends beyond tactics. She’s worked to keep Andreeva grounded amid skyrocketing fame, emphasizing humility and hard work. “We need to be very humble and continue to work to try to get better every day—physically, mentally, tennis-wise,” Martinez said, outlining her goal to refine Andreeva’s forehand, net play, and mental resilience. Yet, she embraces Andreeva’s youthful spirit, from her superstitious eating habits—sticking to chicken and rice throughout a tournament—to her playful pranks, like making goofy faces during Martinez’s interviews. “Tennis forces you to grow up quickly but she maintains that playfulness in there, she likes to joke around,” Martinez said, admitting she enjoys the banter. “I like to bother her. She likes to bother me.”
Andreeva’s 2025 season has been a testament to their synergy. Her French Open semifinal run in 2024, where she upset Sabalenka, was followed by an Olympic doubles silver medal and a career-high ranking. In Dubai, she stunned Swiatek and Rybakina, and in Indian Wells, she outlasted Sabalenka in a three-set final, earning praise from peers like Maria Sharapova, who called her “so poised.” Fans on social media have echoed Martinez’s sentiments, with one post noting, “Mirra’s rise is like a comet—fast and dazzling,” capturing the excitement around her trajectory.
As Andreeva kicks off her clay season at the Stuttgart Open, Martinez sees no limits to her potential. “She’s getting close, yes,” she said when asked about a Grand Slam title in 2025. “If she stays patient, keeps learning without rushing things, she can become a great player and win several Grand Slams.” For now, Martinez keeps Andreeva’s feet on the ground, ensuring the teenager’s head doesn’t get lost in the stars. With a coach who balances discipline with delight, Andreeva’s skyward journey seems destined to soar even higher, leaving the tennis world eager for her next dazzling leap.
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