‘Magician’ Mirra Andreeva compared to Novak Djokovic by a former world No 1

Former world No 1 Andy Roddick has likened rising WTA star Mirra Andreeva to tennis legend Novak Djokovic because of the “nuanced” game she plays.
The 2003 US Open champion assessed that Andreeva “wins her points is in a similar fashion” to Djokovic as he described the 17-year-old as “a magician at switching directions.”
Andreeva achieved her best run at a big tournament to date by reaching the quarter-finals at the WTA 1000 event in Madrid last week.
The Russian was beaten by eventual runner-up Aryna Sabalenka after earning wins over Taylor Townsend, Linda Noskova, Marketa Voundrousova and Jasmine Paolini.
The 17-year-old fell to a 2-6, 3-6 loss to former world No 2 Paula Badosa in the opening round of the Italian Open today.
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Andreeva, who only turned 17 in April, is currently ranked 4oth in the world, having reached a career-high spot of No 33 in February.
She has already achieved impressive Grand Slam results by reaching the last 16 at this year’s Australian Open and last year’s Wimbledon Championships.
Speaking on an episode of the Served with Andy Roddick podcast, Roddick lauded Andreeva’s game and tactical nous as he drew comparison Djokovic.
“Mirra Andreeva is a rockstar, just turned 17. Normally when someone is 16 or 17, you see… When Serena [Williams] was 17, it was like overwhelming power, it’s obvious what her superpower is,” said the American.
“Rafa, when he was 17, it looked like he could bench-press dump trucks. Boris Becker, oh, he has the biggest serve we’ve ever seen.
“So at 17, it’s like they learn nuance but they open with their massive skillset. Andreeva kind of plays a nuanced game at 17. Her comp (comparison) is almost kind of Novak in a weird way.
“I’m not saying she’s Novak, I’m saying the way that she wins her points is in a similar fashion to Novak. She’s a magician at switching directions. She doesn’t let someone get set to hit the same ball twice.”
Tennis great Sharapova recently named Andreeva when asked which player she thinks will have a breakout season on the women’s tour in 2024.
“This is a tough one. I want to say Mirra Andreeva will have a phenomenal year,” the five-time Grand Slam champion told the WTA.
“I followed a little bit of her matches in ’23 and I think she has a strong attitude [and] she has the game to back it up.
“Genuinely, just like her approach and her sensibility in the game. And I think she has a very bright future ahead of her.”
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