Young Tennis Sensation Mirra Andreeva Overcomes Shyness to Face Top Players Like Novak Djokovic
In a thrilling showdown at the Madrid Open, 17-year-old tennis prodigy Mirra Andreeva is set to clash with qualifier Yuliia Starodubtseva in the fourth round.
Despite being a two-time WTA 1000 champion, Andreeva revealed her timid nature when interacting with tennis legend Novak Djokovic. The rising star confessed to feeling shy and admitted she has a long way to go before feeling confident enough to converse with the 24-time Grand Slam champion.
Andreeva’s journey in the Madrid Open has been nothing short of spectacular. After a hard-fought battle against Marie Bouzkova in the opening round, where Bouzkova saved three match points, Andreeva emerged victorious in straight sets. In the following round, she showcased her patience and skill to defeat Magdalena Frech, securing her spot in the last 16 for the third consecutive year.
Despite her success on the court, Andreeva remains humble in the presence of tennis greats like Djokovic. She shared, “When we see each other, we greet, although I am still very shy around him. We have a friendly relationship, and if he wins, I congratulate him if I see him. But I still have a lot to improve before feeling confident enough to speak with him.”
Meanwhile, Yuliia Starodubtseva, Andreeva’s upcoming opponent, displayed remarkable resilience in her match against No. 18 seed Liudmila Samsonova, coming back from a set and a break down to claim victory. Starodubtseva, a rising star in her own right, has reached the Round of 16 in a WTA 1000 event for the second time in her career.
In a surprising turn of events, tennis ace Novak Djokovic faced an early exit from the Madrid Open at the hands of Matteo Arnaldi. The Serbian player, who has struggled with injuries this season, suffered his fourth first-round defeat in 2025. Despite setbacks at previous tournaments, Djokovic remains determined to make a strong comeback at the upcoming Rome Masters.
As the tennis world eagerly awaits the thrilling matches ahead, the young talents like Mirra Andreeva and Yuliia Starodubtseva continue to captivate audiences with their skill and determination on the court.