Andy Murray jumps to 16-year-old ‘winner’ Mirra Andreeva’s defence after commentary nitpicking

Andy Murray has issued a strong defence of Mirra Andreeva’s mentality after the 16-year-old’s outrageous comeback at the Australian Open.

Following her stunning breakthrough season in 2023 that saw her reach the third at Roland Garros, fourth round at Wimbledon and second round at Wimbledon, the teenager is at it again at Melbourne Park.

Playing in the main draw of the hard-court Grand Slam for the first time in her career, the Russian booked her place in the fourth round after turning the match around in stunning fashion.

Andreeva, who defeated world no 6 Ons Jabeur in the second round, appeared to be on her way out of the tournament as she found herself 1-6, 6-1, 1-5 down against Diane Parry, but she somehow came away with a 1-6, 6-1, 7-6 [7-5] victory.

World No 72 Parry also found herself with a match point at 2-5 [30-40] on the Andreeva serve, but could not get the job done.

The commentators questioned the teenager’s mental strength while she was up against, but Murray explained why it is important to trust the youngster’s ability.

“Andreeva down 5-1 in third. Commentator ‘she really needs to work on mental side of her game.. she’s too hard on herself when she’s losing’,” he wrote on social media platform X.

“30 minutes later 7-6 Andreeva wins.

“Maybe the reason she turned the match round is because of her mental strength. Maybe she turned the match around because she is hard on herself and demands more of herself when she’s losing/playing badly? Winner.”

Murray’s praise will no doubt be music to Andreeva’s ears as she is a big fan of the three-time Grand Slam winner.

After she shot to stardom at the Madrid Open, Andreeva said: “You know, the atmosphere here is so special. When you sit here and take in all the stars you see, like Andy Murray, you see his face. He is so beautiful in life.”

The youngster added: “Sorry. He is so amazing. This atmosphere, between the players, just to be here is incredible, simply incredible.”

She finally met Murray at Wimbledon last year, but admitted that she was “too shy” to say hello.

“I met Andy Murray here. But I’m too shy to talk to him,” the Russian revealed.

“When I see him, I try to leave the facility super quick just to not to talk to him because I’m super shy!”

World No 47 Andreeva, who is projected to rise to a career-high No 32 after her three wins, will face either former Roland Garros champion Barbora Krejcikova or Australia’s Storm Hunter in the fourth round.

READ MORE: Mirra Andreeva explains why she prefers to copy Rafael Nadal instead of Roger Federer