"Could be a chance to cement her place in the top ten and aim for even bigger titles": Former World No.3 backs Mirra Andreeva for further progression

Former World No.3 Nadia Petrova has backed Russian ace Mirra Andreeva to go for even bigger titles in 2026 after a breakthrough season in 2025.

Andreeva is an interesting conundrum as the Russian proved to be one of the players of the year in the early reckoning. She claimed two titles on the WTA 1000 circuit in the opening months of the year after the Australian Open. She claimed Dubai defeating both Elena Rybakina and Iga Swiatek on her way to the final where she defeated Clara Tauson.

Andreeva followed that victory in Dubai by claiming Indian Wells defeating Tauson, Rybakina and Swiatek before then taking down Aryna Sabalenka in the final. Her 13-match win streak ranged from a round one win in Dubai to the third round of the Miami Open was the second longest winning run on tour this season. She propelled herself into the top 10 which not only bought her acclaim but also her puppy which she had long wanted.

That was only revealed mere months ago as it took some time for the puppy to be picked by the now 18-year-old. Albeit the issue was that while she had a good season, she didn't reach the WTA Finals despite winning two WTA 1000 titles showing how much her year fell apart in the latter half.

She also suffered a lot with injury and illness and lost her form not able to get it back. She was usurped in the end by Elena Rybakina who came hot on her heels winning multiple titles and having a late season surge when it seemed a bit unlikely that she would make it.

But despite all that Petrova said that she will have further success and that 2026 could be even better for her starting with cementing her top 10 spot then going from there. “Her start to the season, her victories in Dubai and Indian Wells, have proven that at such a young age, she’s already mature enough, analyses the game, and can handle pressure," said Petrova as per Championat.

“I still want to believe that next year could be even better for her. This could be a chance to cement her place in the top ten and aim for even bigger titles.”

But while she is getting there, Petrova also said that she is not yet the finished article and that the media attention and all of the other new things that come with being a top 10 star and a big name for tournaments perhaps were also an issue when it came down to emotions and feelings.

At times Andreeva has broken down in tears during tournaments and not been herself and has lacked maturity at certain junctures but being only 18 can be forgiven for that.

“I think it’s age-related. You could say it’s a transitional stage in her professional career. She needs to get through this. She needs to learn to cope with her emotions and feelings,” added Petrova.

“But I’ll say this in Mirra’s defence: they set specific goals with their team and achieved them very quickly. Two consecutive tournament wins, a sharp rise not even into the top ten, but into the top five. I think this was a bit of a surprise for them.

“And then there was too much media attention, too much talk, too much comparison with other top stars, the legends of this great sport. And this, of course, threw Mirra off.

“She’s a smart girl, she has a good team. I think they’ll explain everything to her, explain it to her, and she’ll go out there and try to give it her all, and she’ll stabilise emotionally.”