Conchita Martinez reveals the psychologist’s impact on Mirra Andreeva’s success.

Mirra Andreeva surprised the tennis world by winning the title at Roland Garros, becoming the third youngest woman of this century to win a Grand Slam. At just 19 years old, the Russian tennis player defeated Maja Chwalinska in the final, halting the Polish player’s fairytale run with a solid victory in two sets. The historic and resounding triumph has put the women’s circuit on alert for the potential of the new champion, whose meteoric rise is marked by both talent and an extraordinary mental work ethic for her age.

A final took place in Paris, with Andreeva dominating from start to finish, closing the match without dropping a single set. This was the third title of the season for the young Russian, who had already won the Adelaide International against Victoria Mboko and later defeated Anastasia Potapova at the Linz Open. The consistency displayed on the big stages is further underscored by her presence in the final of the Madrid Open, where she was only halted by Marta Kostyuk. However, what is truly drawing attention is not just the results on court, but the mental and emotional transformation that Andreeva has undergone since 2024, a process detailed by her coach, Conchita Martinez.


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The impact of this victory goes beyond merely winning a trophy. Andreeva not only enters the history of women’s tennis but also establishes herself as one of the main threats in upcoming Grand Slam tournaments. Her maturity, combined with her technical and physical explosiveness, immediately places the young Russian on the radar of favorites for Wimbledon and the rest of the season. This meteoric rise is even more significant considering the recent dominance of names like Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka, and Elena Rybakina, who now see a new rival capable of disrupting the status quo.

Conchita Martinez, Wimbledon champion in 1994 and one of the most respected voices on the circuit, revealed in an interview with Bolshoi Tennis that the key to Andreeva’s success lies in the emphasis on psychological work. According to Martinez, “I saw a lot of anxiety and other things that shouldn’t have been there. When you’re 17 or 18 years old, you should be enjoying the game and focusing on how to improve. I saw areas that needed work from a mental perspective. We had a conversation the next day. She asked me about my own experience because I also worked with a psychologist during my career.” The Spanish coach also highlighted Andreeva’s openness to evolve: “I told her that I thought she would benefit greatly from working with a psychologist. It took a little longer than we expected to find the right person, but eventually we did. She has been working with the psychologist for about a year and a half. We work very closely. I often talk with the psychologist about what they are working on because I am almost always by Mirra’s side.” These words reinforce the idea that, unlike other athletes, Andreeva is genuinely committed to her mental development, something that can make all the difference in high-level tennis.

The impact of psychological support became evident after the tough elimination in the first round of Wimbledon in 2024, against Brenda Fruhvirtova. Martinez noticed the emotional breakdown of her pupil following that setback, acknowledging that it was necessary to work on anxiety to ensure that Andreeva could enjoy the game and unleash her full potential. The investment resulted in a more confident player, capable of handling the pressure of major stages, as demonstrated by her recent triumph at Roland Garros.

However, the tennis world remains cautious about Andreeva’s favoritism for Wimbledon. Rennae Stubbs, former coach of Serena Williams, stated that she does not place the young Russian among the top three favorites for the title at the All England Club: “I won’t rule her out on any surface and, depending on who is in the final stages of a tournament, Mirra Andreeva is now a Grand Slam champion, she knows she can do it. But, in the top three, I’m not sure, because I put Sabalenka, Rybakina, and even Pegula ahead of her.” Rybakina, the 2022 Wimbledon champion, and Sabalenka, the Australian Open winner, are seen as the main contenders, while Pegula arrives buoyed by titles in Dubai and Charleston this year.

With the start of the Wimbledon tournament scheduled for June 29 and Iga Swiatek defending her title, all eyes will be on Andreeva to see if she can transfer her dominance on clay to grass. The young Russian, now with Grand Slam champion status, has not only gained a new standing on the world circuit but has also raised expectations surrounding her career. It remains to be seen whether she can maintain the mental focus and consistency that have brought her this far, now facing the pressure of being the hunted rather than the hunter, on a stage where history and tradition prevail. The coming weeks promise intense emotions, and with Mirra Andreeva in the spotlight, women’s tennis has gained a new protagonist for the immediate future.

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