"Feel like I cannot make this happen again, I really have to be able to close things out": Mirra Andreeva laments Madrid mental implosion

Tuesday, 28 April 2026 at 02:30

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Mirra Andreeva fought through a physically and emotionally draining contest to defeat Anna Bondar 6-7, 6-3, 7-6 and book her place in the quarter-finals of the Madrid Open, where she will face Leylah Fernandez.

The teenager had to dig deep after a frustrating start, admitting her lack of aggression in the opening set proved costly at the Madrid Open.

“Obviously in the first set I was not very aggressive,” Andreeva said on Tennis Channel. “I felt like I was aggressive, but at the same time I was waiting for her mistakes and not really going for my shots. I guess that’s why it didn’t go my way, even though I was pretty close.”

Despite dropping the opener, Andreeva grew into the match, finding a more assertive approach that ultimately turned the tide.

“Especially in the second set and in the third set until a certain score, I played pretty good,” she explained. “I was going for my shots, trying to play aggressive and really building the point. I felt like I was trying to take the time away from her, so I’m super happy about that.”

A key shift came through her willingness to trust her forehand, something she believes lifts every aspect of her game.

“Whenever I’m really trying to be aggressive and go for my shots, I feel like my legs are faster,” she said. “Then I’m able to be more aggressive throughout the whole point, and after it gives me more energy and I’m more pumped for the next points as well.”

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However, the match was far from straightforward. Andreeva found herself in a difficult mental position late in the decider after surrendering a run of games, only to respond with renewed determination.

“I caught myself being in a pretty bad spot when it was 5-6 in the third set, when I lost those five games in a row,” she admitted. “Maybe it’s weird to say, but I feel like that moment helped me because I was so mad at myself. I was just like, ‘No, I’m not leaving it like this.’”

That frustration sparked a response, as she steadied to hold serve emphatically and eventually edge the deciding tie-break.

Even in victory, Andreeva remained self-critical, pointing to missed opportunities to close the match earlier.

“By the end of the third set I was pretty mad at myself for not being brave enough to close the set earlier,” she said. “I feel like I cannot make this happen again. I really have to be able to close things out when I have an opportunity.”

Mirra Andreeva beats Vekic in the Australian Open

Birthday in Madrid

The Madrid event holds special significance for Andreeva, adding another layer of motivation to her performance.

“Madrid is a very special place for me,” she said. “It’s mine and my dad’s birthday, and in three days it’s my mom’s birthday. Basically every year since I turned 16, we’ve spent our birthdays here. So it gives me extra motivation to keep fighting and pushing at hard times.”

Looking ahead to her quarter-final clash with Fernandez, Andreeva has already identified areas for improvement.

“I would really like to see a little bit less double faults, because today at some moments I was nervous and tight,” she said. “And also not to wait for mistakes. No matter what happens, I’d rather miss but go for my shots. I don’t want to wait for my opponent, I want to do everything myself.”

After a gruelling victory fuelled by both resilience and raw emotion, Andreeva now stands two wins away from the Madrid final, determined to keep pushing, and perhaps deliver herself the perfect birthday present.

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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