In a moment of deep respect and admiration, Roger Federer once told Rafael Nadal after defeating him in the 2017 Australian Open final, “I would’ve been happy to lose, to be honest.” That epic match remains one of the most thrilling contests in tennis history, with Federer securing a hard-fought victory over Nadal, 6-4, 3-6, 6-1, 3-6, 6-3, to claim his fifth Australian Open title and his 18th Grand Slam overall. While time has passed and the tennis world continues to deliver incredible showdowns, this particular match has stayed vivid in the memory of rising tennis star Mirra Andreeva. The reasons behind this deep connection, however, have been largely unknown—until now.
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During an interview with the Russian YouTube channel More!, Andreeva opened up about why she repeatedly watched the 2017 Australian Open final while in Dubai. She recalled how she had been training in Sochi at the time and had watched the match with a group of friends. Among them was a boy who passionately supported Nadal, while Andreeva herself was an ardent Federer fan. Their divided loyalties only intensified the emotions of the match.
Reflecting on the experience, she said, “I remember my emotions when Federer won. I was so happy I was jumping, running around.” That moment of joy and admiration for Federer’s performance left a lasting impression on her. Years later, as she prepared for her own matches, she found herself drawn back to that legendary showdown. “I decided to rewatch it before my matches for motivation. I watched the highlights every day of the tournament. At first, I was just interested, but then I couldn’t stop—it became a routine.”
A Young Star’s Breakthrough
Since making waves in 2023 by reaching the fourth round of the Madrid Open, Andreeva has continued to solidify her place on the tour. Her ranking rise reflects that steady progress. Less than a year after reaching her first Grand Slam semifinal at the French Open, she has now achieved another major milestone—one that draws an interesting parallel to Rafael Nadal himself.
Andreeva Matches Nadal’s Historic Feat
In an impressive display of talent and composure, Andreeva won her first-ever WTA 1000 title at the Dubai Championships. Her path to the trophy was anything but easy, as she had to overcome world-class opponents. She stunned world No. 1 Iga Świątek in the quarterfinals, followed by a victory over Elena Rybakina in the semifinals. In the final, she faced Denmark’s Clara Tauson, the ASB Classic champion from earlier in the year. Despite a closely contested opening set, Andreeva prevailed, winning 7-6(1), 6-1 in one hour and 46 minutes.
With this victory, she became only the second teenager ever to win this prestigious title—following in the footsteps of Rafael Nadal, who accomplished the feat in 2006. That year, Nadal famously defeated Federer in the ATP Dubai final after rallying from a set down.
At just 17 years old, Andreeva is now the youngest WTA player to win a Masters 1000 title since the format’s introduction in 2009. Her triumph also propelled her into the WTA Top 10 for the first time, reaching a career-high ranking of No. 9. This makes her the first Russian 17-year-old since Nicole Vaidišová in 2007 to break into the world’s top 10.
A Star with Big Dreams
Following her win, Andreeva couldn’t hide her excitement. “I’ve been dreaming of having a press conference with a trophy by my side, so finally it happened,” she said with a smile. Now, her ambitions have only grown. “My goal is to be in the Top 5 by the end of the year. I’m very curious if I will be able to achieve it.”
As her career continues to unfold, many are already asking: Does Andreeva have what it takes to become the next Federer or Nadal in tennis? Her rapid rise, mental toughness, and admiration for one of the game’s greatest legends suggest she could be on a path to greatness.
What do you think? Could Mirra Andreeva be the next dominant force in tennis?