WIMBLEDON — Teenage tennis sensation Mirra Andreeva delivered on her playful promise of "revenge" against her coach, former Wimbledon champion Conchita Martínez, by turning cheerleader during Martínez's invitational doubles match at the All England Club this week.
A Lighthearted Rivalry Comes to Life
The 17-year-old Russian prodigy, who reached the Wimbledon quarterfinals last year, had jokingly vowed to get even with Martínez after the Spanish coach playfully mocked her during practice sessions. True to her word, Andreeva brought animated energy to Court 14 as she enthusiastically supported Martínez and partner Anne Keothavong against Martina Navratilova and Rennae Stubbs.
"I told her I would take revenge," Andreeva laughed in her post-match interview, "and today was the perfect chance! She always teases me about my intensity in practice, so I gave it back by being the loudest supporter out there."
From Coach-Player Banter to Center Stage
The lighthearted moment showcased the unique bond between the rising star and her Hall of Fame coach. Martínez, who won Wimbledon in 1994, began working with Andreeva last season and has helped guide the teenager to a meteoric rise up the rankings.
Their dynamic was on full display during the invitational match, with Andreeva:
- Mimicking Martínez's signature serve routine between points
- Leading chants of "Vamos Conchita!" from the sidelines
- Playfully arguing line calls in her coach's favor
A Learning Experience On Both Sides
Martínez later admitted the role reversal provided valuable perspective: "Having Mirra there supporting me made me understand how she must feel when I'm in her player box. The energy she brought was incredible - maybe too incredible when she started coaching me from the stands!"
Andreeva's Wimbledon Journey
The invitational appearance came during a breakthrough Wimbledon for Andreeva, who reached the fourth round in singles before falling to 2022 champion Elena Rybakina. The young Russian has shown remarkable composure on grass despite her limited experience on the surface.
Key milestones in Andreeva's 2024 Wimbledon campaign:
- Defeated former world No. 1 Naomi Osaka in straight sets
- Became youngest quarterfinalist since 1997
- Improved her Grand Slam match record to 12-3 this season
The Coach Who Makes a Difference
Martínez's influence on Andreeva's game has been particularly evident in her improved net play and tactical variety. The Spanish legend's experience on grass has helped transform the baseline-oriented teenager into an all-court threat.
"Conchita understands exactly when to push me and when to make me laugh," Andreeva explained. "After tough losses, she knows I need time to be angry. But she also knows how to turn practice into something fun when I'm too serious."
Looking Ahead
With Wimbledon now behind them, the pair will shift focus to the North American hardcourt swing. Andreeva's performance at SW19 has propelled her into the WTA Top 30 for the first time, setting up an intriguing second half of the season.
As for their friendly rivalry? Martínez promises the banter will continue: "Mirra got her revenge today, but I have many more tricks ready for our next practice. She should enjoy this moment while it lasts!"
The mutual respect between coach and player was perhaps best summarized by Andreeva's final comment: "We push each other every day. She makes me a better player, and I like to think I keep her young. Though maybe after today's match, I've aged her a few years!"