ROLAND-GARROS
19 May - 8 June 2025
If Mirra Andreeva goes on like this, Conchita Martinez could be out of a job by the end of the week. The feisty, fearless 17-year-old has been working with the former Wimbledon champion since the start of April and now she has reached her first Grand Slam semi-final. If she were to win the title on Saturday, there would be nothing left for Martinez to do.
Semi-final preview: Paolini vs Andreeva
Mirra Andreeva is the youngest Grand Slam semi-finalist since Martina Hingis in 1997 and the youngest player to beat either a world No.1 or No.2 at a Grand Slam since Jelena Dokic in 1999
Her two hour, 29 minute three-set dismissal of Aryna Sabalenka, the world No.2 and one of the biggest hitters on the tour, was the biggest shock of the women’s draw. Andreeva was bold, courageous and nerveless. So how had she done it?
“Me and my coach, we had a plan,” she said. “But, again, I didn’t remember anything.”
This has been something of a recurring theme as Andreeva has romped through the draw: she thinks the world of Martinez and listens intently whenever the Spaniard offers words of wisdom. And then she forgets everything, walks out on court and just does what comes naturally.
©Corinne Dubreuil / FFTAs she explained this to Mats Wilander after the match, he could not help but ask if she did not need Conchita anymore. Up in the stands, the venerable coach’s smile stretched from ear to ear as she nodded enthusiastically.
“I’m really happy she’s still here with me,” Andreeva said. “Sometimes I can remember a little information.”
Andreeva’s greatest gift is her ability to keep everything simple on court. Her second match point? “I just imagined it was a break point and tried to be brave and I managed to win.” Her game plan? “I don’t have a plan. I play wherever I want. I see a space on the court and I try to put the ball there. I see her move one way and I try to put the ball behind her.”
She makes it all sound so easy. But when you are 17, life can be easy, especially if you are blessed with world-class talent.
©Corinne Dubreuil / FFTIt also helps that this area of Paris is like a home from home for her. Unable to play a full schedule on the WTA Tour due to her age, she spent three weeks playing in the French Inter-Club Championship representing Boulogne-Billancourt Tennis Club at the end of last year (her team lost in the final but she won her match 6-0, 6-0). She knows this part of town like the back of her hand.
Now she plays the other giantkiller of the women’s draw: Jasmine Paolini. For fully three hours, the Italian was headline news after knocking out the No.4 seed, Elena Rybakina. Then she was usurped by Andreeva’s amazing feats.
Their only previous match was this year in Madrid: Andreeva won in straight, but tight, sets.
“She plays really fast,” Andreeva said. “She moves really fast. She really goes for it. But I will play the same as today, with the same “cold head” if I can put it that way.”
Conchita will, no doubt come up with a game plan for today; Mirra will, no doubt, forget every word. But together they make a seemingly unbeatable team.