Mirra Andreeva wasted no time on Monday evening after securing her first WTA Finals victory, immediately heading back to the court to train. The 19-year-old Russian beat seventh seed Elina Svitolina 6-4, 6-0 at Indian Wells, California, and then chose to serve practice straight away, an unusual move she initiated herself.
Andreeva, who claimed her first Grand Slam title at Roland Garros earlier this year, dominated the match with an impressive first-serve win rate of 85 percent and saved all six break-point opportunities presented by Svitolina. Despite these strong numbers, she admitted she had not been fully aware of her serving efficiency during the match.
“I actually did not know that my percentage was so high because I guess with all the nerves and adrenaline I have felt today on the court, I did not actually feel it was super good,” Andreeva told reporters after the match. “That’s why I went on court [after the match] and served even more, to secure the good feeling.”
Her decision to train immediately after the win was a first for Andreeva, and it surprised her coach, Conchita Martinez. “You will not believe it, but for the very first time in my life it was my initiative,” Andreeva said. “I called Conchita and she was like ‘are you kidding me’ and I said ‘no, let’s go and practice’. I met her in the gym and she was saying ‘you are kidding’.”
Andreeva described her confidence in her serving as a source of strength during the match. “I am also super happy, I felt like I was winning a lot of free points with my serve and that it gives more confidence when you play,” she added.
The young Russian’s composure and focus on the court were on full display against Svitolina, who has been a consistent presence in major tournaments. Andreeva’s ability to raise her game under pressure was evident in the way she handled break points and controlled rallies.
Her choice to continue training after such a significant win suggests a dedication to maintaining her form and not becoming complacent. Martinez’s surprise at the initiative coming from her player highlights a maturation in Andreeva’s approach to her career.
Monday’s win at Indian Wells adds to an already impressive year for Andreeva, who has quickly become a notable figure on the WTA Tour following her breakthrough at Roland Garros. The victory over Svitolina moves her forward in the WTA Finals, where she will look to build on this momentum.
After the match, Andreeva planned to share her serving statistics with Martinez, confident they would be pleased with her performance. This kind of detailed attention to her game points to a player focused on refining every aspect of her tennis.
Her training session after the match was a rare glimpse into the mindset of a young athlete pushing herself beyond the usual routine. It remains to be seen how this approach will influence her results in the rest of the tournament.
According to Yahoo Sports.