Mirra Andreeva’s fairytale run at SW19 ended on Wednesday, as she was defeated by Belinda Bencic.
At just 18 years old, Andreeva has achieved a remarkable amount on the WTA Tour, not least winning the Dubai singles title to become the youngest WTA 1000 champion ever.
Despite losing 6-7 6-7 to Bencic, the prodigy has risen to world number seven early in her burgeoning career, following a similar path to tennis legend Tracy Austin.
Austin broke onto the elite tennis scene at the age of 16 after becoming the youngest US Open women’s singles champion in 1979, before winning the Wimbledon title in 1980.
Austin spoke about Andreeva during the Russian player’s match against Bencic, discussing the advice she would give to the youngster given the similarities in their careers to date.
Tracy Austin tells Mirra Andreeva to ‘find the right balance of work and play’
Andreeva stunned the tennis world in 2023, recording an impressive run to the Madrid Open third round as a 15-year-old, before reaching the fourth round at Wimbledon.
Since then, Andreeva’s stock has continued to rise, especially after reaching the French Open semi-finals in 2024.
Tracy Austin, who recently commented on the Wimbledon line call controversy, was asked by her co-commentator what advice she would give to Andreeva.
Austin said: “I think I would bring the same advice Conchita [Martinez] is bringing.
“Conchita was a prodigy; she knows what it’s like to have success, break into the elite at such a young age and the demands on your time.”
Conchita Martinez knows all about winning a Grand Slam title at Wimbledon. She became the first Spanish player to win the women’s singles title at Wimbledon when she captured the crown in 1994.
Martinez also reached the Australian Open and French Open finals, in 1998 and 2000 respectively.
Austin continued: “It’s the endorsements, it’s trying to be a teenager and grow up and mature in front of the world when things are changing, it’s the expectations that come into play.
“I think Mira’s handling it beautifully. We saw her yesterday cheering Conchita on in legends’ matches.
“Find the right balance of work and play. I do wish that I had someone that was a former world champion like that at 16 to help me along the way. It’s like you’re cheating, getting secrets.”
Belinda Bencic says she was studying Mirra Andreeva’s game to ‘find a plan’
Bencic was full of praise for the 18-year-old after the match on Wednesday afternoon, describing the youngster as ‘very tough’ and noting that she studied the youngster’s game on Tuesday evening.
Speaking to the BBC after the match, Bencic said of Andreeva: “Very tough, I have a lot of respect for her. 18 years old and she’s performing on the biggest stage, already winning so many amazing tournaments and she has a great game, a lot of variation.
“So I was studying her really all evening yesterday to find a little bit of a plan what to do and I think it worked out well.
“Of course in two tiebreaks it’s not easy. It’s really just a small edge, so I’m so grateful to be able to play on Centre Court again.
“I think it’s just my third time or something so it’s always so magical. Thank you so much.”
Bencic will face Iga Swiatek in the semi-finals, before a potential matchup against Amanda Anisimova or Aryna Sabalenka.
