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

Mirra Andreeva is a big fan of Roger Federer and she describes him as her “favourite player”, but she prefers to take a leaf out of Rafael Nadal’s book when it comes to one aspect.

The 16-year-old, who finished runner-up in the Australian Open Girls’ Junior final at the start of the year, is one of the rising stars in women’s tennis as she reached the third round of the French Open on her Grand Slam main draw debut last month.

Having come through qualifying again, she has now gone one better at Wimbledon after beating fellow Russian Anastasia Potapova in straight sets on Sunday.

For many up-and-coming tennis stars, having the right mentality plays a vital role when it comes to fulfilling their potential and Andreeva is hoping to follow in the footsteps of 22-time Grand Slam winner Nadal, who has battled back from multiple injuries over the years, when it comes to having the right mindset.

“I always admire Federer and he was always my favourite player,” she said after her win over Potapova. “But after Nadal won [the] French Open in 2022, I was really impressed because after an injury, he came back, he won the Australian Open, he won French Open.

“After that, I can say that now mental-wise I just try sometimes to copy him. I just try to remember what would he do in these moments, what would he do on the score. Sometimes, yes, I can say that I copy him.”

Andreeva, who faces 25th seed Madison Keys in the fourth round, is four wins away from emulating Emma Raducanu by winning a major as a qualifier.

Raducanu won 10 matches in a row – three in qualifying and seven in the main draw – at the 2021 US Open to win a Grand Slam at the age of 18.

Asked if she could repeat that feat, the youngster answered: “Of course, in 2021 she did [an] amazing job. Everyone was impressed. I think she was impressed also to pass the quallies and to win the Slam at 18. It’s amazing.

“But me, I just try to not think about it. I think it will disturb me, all these thoughts. I just try to play every match and don’t think how far I have gone already or which round I’m playing, against who I’m playing.

“I just try to play every point. Doesn’t matter against whom. Doesn’t matter which round. I just play my game. I don’t change anything mental-wise, tennis-wise. So, yeah, I’m just playing.”

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