LONDON — Rising tennis star Mirra Andreeva admitted she had "completely forgotten the score" during her fourth-round Wimbledon match against Emma Navarro, not realizing she had secured victory until the umpire announced the result. The 17-year-old Russian, competing under a neutral flag, advanced to her first Grand Slam quarter-final with a 6-2, 3-6, 6-2 win on Monday.
Andreeva, who became the youngest Wimbledon quarter-finalist since Coco Gauff in 2019, displayed remarkable composure despite her momentary lapse in awareness. "I didn't know it was match point," she confessed in her post-match interview. "I just played, and then I heard the umpire say 'game, set, match.' I was like, 'Oh, really? Okay, great!'"
A Match of Momentum Swings
The encounter on Court No. 1 was a rollercoaster, with Andreeva dominating the first set before Navarro, the American 19th seed, fought back to level the match. The deciding set saw Andreeva regain control, breaking Navarro twice to seal the victory. Key moments included:
- Andreeva's 83% first-serve win rate in the opening set
- Navarro's 12 winners in the second set turnaround
- A crucial break in the fifth game of the final set
Andreeva's coach, Jean-René Lisnard, later revealed that the teenager's focus was so intense that she genuinely lost track of the score. "Mirra lives every point," he said. "When she's in the zone, nothing else exists—not the crowd, not the scoreboard, sometimes not even her opponent."
From Qualifiers to Quarter-Finals
Andreeva's Wimbledon run is particularly impressive considering she had to navigate three qualifying matches just to enter the main draw. Her journey so far includes victories over:
- Qualifying rounds: defeats of Bai, Riera, and Jacquemot
- Main draw: wins over Nosková, Parry, and now Navarro
The young phenom has now won 15 of her last 16 matches across all surfaces, a streak that began at the French Open where she reached the fourth round. "I'm just trying to enjoy every moment," Andreeva said. "Last year I was playing juniors here, and now I'm in the quarter-finals. It's crazy."
Next Challenge: A Grand Slam Champion
Andreeva's quarter-final opponent will be 2022 Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina, who overcame Anna Kalinskaya in straight sets. The matchup presents a fascinating contrast between experience and youth, with Rybakina's powerful serve-and-volley game testing Andreeva's exceptional court coverage and tactical intelligence.
When asked about facing Rybakina, Andreeva remained characteristically unfazed: "She's a great player, but I don't think about who is on the other side. I just focus on my game. If I play my best, we'll see what happens."
The Making of a Teenage Sensation
Andreeva's rapid rise has been one of the stories of the 2024 season. Since turning professional in 2022, she has:
- Climbed from outside the top 300 to a career-high No. 37
- Reached two WTA finals (Madrid and Strasbourg)
- Defeated four top-20 players this season
Her performance at Wimbledon has already guaranteed a move into the top 30 when the new rankings are released. Former champion Martina Navratilova praised Andreeva's maturity: "For someone so young, she has an old head on her shoulders. The way she constructs points, changes pace—it's like watching a 10-year veteran."
The Mental Game
Andreeva's ability to stay present—sometimes too present, as her scoreboard amnesia shows—has become a hallmark of her game. Sports psychologist Dr. Rebecca Symes analyzed: "This level of immersion is rare. Most players are acutely aware of scoreboard pressure. Andreeva's capacity to play each point independently, almost as its own match, is a tremendous asset."
The teenager has credited her mental approach to working with Lisnard, a former player known for his gritty performances. "Jean-René tells me to play like it's practice," she shared. "No expectations, just tennis. That's when I play my best."
Looking Ahead
As Andreeva prepares for her biggest career match to date, the tennis world watches with anticipation. Whether she can overcome Rybakina remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: the young Russian has already made her mark at these Championships.
Reflecting on her unexpected scoreboard moment, Andreeva laughed: "Maybe I should pay more attention next time! But if forgetting the score helps me play like this, maybe I'll keep doing it." With her blend of talent, temperament, and now quarter-final experience, Andreeva's Wimbledon fairytale might yet have more chapters to write.