Ex-Serena Williams coach touts Andreeva for top four finish, challenges rivals Swiatek, Sabalenka and Gauff
WTAThursday, 06 June 2024 at 15:11
Mirra Andreeva will be top four in the world before the end of the year and if not sooner is the belief of former Serena Williams coach, Rick Macci who took to X formerly known as Twitter enthused about her display against Aryna Sabalenka.
Andreeva pulled off an upset by defeating Sabalenka 6-7(5), 6-4, 6-4 in a thrilling two-hour-29 minute match in the Quarter-Finals of the French Open. The win made her the youngest woman to reach a Grand Slam semi-final since Martina Hingis back in 1997.
She became the youngest player also to defeat either the World No.1 or World No.2 at the French Open since Monica Seles defeated Steffi Graf back in the 1990 final. On her way to the Quarter-Finals, she defeated the likes of Emina Bektas, Victoria Azarenka, Peyton Stearns and Varvara Gracheva.
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The former coach of the American great said that he sees her not only attaining that ranking status but also challenging top players including Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff. He said that she holds great mental fortitude and the skills necessary to achieve greatness. She next faces Jasmine Paolini for a spot in the final and Macci at least believes she has what it takes.
It has been a whirlwind ride for the 17-year-old who last year made a major splash at the Madrid Open and has since made the Last 16 and now better of every Grand Slam tournament. She was crowned newcomer of the year last year and could yet be a Grand Slam champion this week.
"[Mirra] Andreeva will be top 4 by the end of the year if not sooner and right there with Iga [Swiatek], [Aryna] Sabalenka and Coco [Gauff]. Number One 100% in the future and future is sooner than later. She is wired for greatness and mentally a cut above," Macci posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief
Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.
Based in Leicester, Samuel has a broad background in tennis media. In his current role, he works closely with editors and writers to ensure coverage meets clear journalistic standards, with particular attention to verification, consistency, and timely updates when new information becomes available.
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- "This of course a stark change to Rybakina who is obviously more timid..." That just may be the dumbest thing ever written about Lena. For a CCO, Mr. Gill seems to have either made an error in judgement -- or needed filler for this article -- to say something so ridiculous.
mandoist13-09-2026 - “The way I like to put it – no disrespect to anybody – is that this is her house, and all the other girls are just guests, and it’s time for them to go home” Well now... seems John Stacy has made a complete ass of himself. Doubt he'll be receiving any invitations to Lena's "house" any time soon.mandoist13-09-2026
- I am sorry, but Sabalenka has NO EXCUSE for her despicable behaviour. She lacks self and mouth control! The message is being sent but Saba isn't getting it! She is full of arrogance and pride. Hopefully, after this defeat she will be on the way to becoming a humble lady LIKE ELENA! I hope she never regains the world No. 1 until she develops some humility.Rapunzel13-09-2026
- Sabalenka began showing signs of her game gradually 'changing' since last season. I predicted her fascination with posting endless Selfies, participating in commercial media distractions and constant Social Media nonsense could impact her in a negative way. Her off-court Life was sure to interfere with her performace level. Visions of Raducanu, Giorgi, Bouchard come to mind. The Final yesterday was a weird case of polar-opposites. Sabalenka and Rybakina could not be any more different in personalities! Saba often portrays a somewhat fake persona, including her Phony Screaming. Her usual habit of acting like the nice girl with a sense of humor is a misconception. People take her lack of intellect as "cute" and "funny". So anyway... yesterday viewers witnessed that Fake Scream be reduced to a whimper and sometimes no vocal gymnastics at all once she knew the jig was up. We all saw her look into the camera post-match and say "F... You". Also, pretty hard to not see Saba making untoward facial expressions, rolling her eyes, etc., behind Rybakina while on the podium. Elena Rybakina, on the other hand, was her usual 'in-control' self as she spoke clearly and calmly, without making faces nor any ill-will toward anyone = 100% Class Act. Lena appeared more than aware of Saba's sour attitude and made a point of not looking in her direction most of the time. FWIW: I have never -- not ever -- heard Sabalenka make any sounds on practice courts. So it is indeed a nonsensical ruse as she thinks (incorrectly) it affects opponents. It does not. In fact, as was the case yesterday, I saw Lena occasionally take a side-eye glance at Saba on her way to the bench... as if to calculate her emotions. Saba is actually a very easy 'read'.mandoist13-09-2026
- WTA really, really hates this sort of thing. They surely are satisfied to make believe no such thing happens (or happened).mandoist13-09-2026
- WTA and ATP cannot even make their dope testing equal and precise across the board. They sure as hell cannot escape a stituation they themselves made over the ridiculous "penalty" of omitting a player's country flag. Nothing regarding which flags to display (or not) should be a Thing. It proves nothing; solves nothing. If anything, all it did was cause stress, tension, and even outbursts between players in the WTA locker room. Let's not even start with the asinine practice of not shaking hands at the net with "the enemy". There seems to be a general lack of intelligence behind Pro Tennis administrations' Closed Doors. .mandoist13-09-2026
- Big Babe Tennis! Hoping for a good final.DaveyWavey12-09-2026
- Director needs to return to his old "job" at the Australia Open. He's clueless in NYC.mandoist12-09-2026
- You keep writing ridiculous crap... why are you even watching tennis?mandoist12-09-2026
- They probably have a very good reason for this. I do not get it. Annoying that it finishes so late
AceOfBase12-09-2026
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