Mirra Andreeva is preparing to compete at Roland Garros. She is approaching the second Grand Slam of the season following a strong clay court swing.
Andreeva’s Paris Preparations
Andreeva expressed her excitement about returning to Paris. She stated that she loves playing in Paris and on the clay courts there. She is excited to start the tournament.
“Preparation is going great. I love playing in Paris and I love playing on these clay courts. I’m super excited to be back. Last year, I achieved a great result here, and I also feel like I’ve had a very good start to the season on clay. I’m very excited to start the tournament on Sunday.”
Andreeva noted this is her fifth year in Paris. She played the junior tournament in 2022. She said she is always happy to return because it’s a special Grand Slam and the atmosphere is incredible.
“This is already my fifth year in Paris. In 2022, I played the junior tournament, so I’ve been coming here for quite some time. I’m always very happy to return because it’s a special Grand Slam, and the atmosphere is incredible. I feel like I already know a lot of people who work here and also many players, but at the same time, I still have the feeling that I haven’t been coming for that long.”
The Importance of Doubles
Andreeva discussed the importance of doubles for her. She said she enjoys playing doubles because she is not as stressed or nervous. She focuses on having fun.
“I think I play doubles well because I simply love playing it. When I play doubles, I’m not as stressed or nervous, and I really focus on having fun. Playing doubles reminds me of when my sister and I played ping-pong. It was all laughs, fun, and competitiveness at the same time.”
She added that she wants to win when playing doubles, but above all, she’s enjoying the match on the court. She believes the key is that she feels much less pressure and ideally, she would feel the same when playing singles.
“I have exactly the same feeling playing doubles. Obviously, I want to win, but above all, I’m enjoying the match on the court very much. I think the key is that I feel much less pressure. Ideally, I would feel exactly the same when playing singles, although there I obviously want to do very well and win many matches, so sometimes I put more pressure on myself.”
Psychological Evolution on the Court
Andreeva talked about her psychological evolution on the court. She admitted there are still moments when she is tough on herself because she doesn’t like how she is playing or she loses a point she feels she should have won.
She feels it has improved a lot lately. She is realising that when she doesn’t react negatively to what happens on the court and speaks to herself positively, everything is much easier.
“Obviously, there are still moments when I am tough on myself because sometimes I don’t like how I am playing or I lose a point that I feel I should have won. But lately, I feel it has improved a lot. I am realizing that when I don’t react negatively to what happens on the court and speak to myself positively, everything is much easier.”
She feels she thinks better, makes better decisions and makes fewer errors. She has noticed the difference between playing from negativity and playing with a positive mindset.
“I feel I think better, make better decisions, and make fewer errors. I have clearly noticed the difference between playing from negativity and playing with a positive mindset. Now, I much prefer that positive side because when I think negatively, I feel like playing becomes much more complicated.”
It’s never easy to play against a French player, Andreeva noted.