"Has a strong attitude and has the game to back it up": Maria Sharapova gave Mirra Andreeva prediction prior to Australian Open brilliance

WTA
Thursday, 18 January 2024 at 13:00
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Mirra Andreeva has continued to win new fans over her time on the WTA Tour with her latest run at the Australian Open seeing her reach the third round now in every single major at least and seal her first top 10 win over Ons Jabeur. Former World No.1, Maria Sharapova saw her compatriot as most likely to have a breakthrough in 2024.
Albeit that has technically already happened with Andreeva winning WTA Newcomer of the Year, an accolade won by Sharapova back in 2003 and the rest was history from there. But Sharapova who has often been compared to Andreeva which is a comparison that the 16-year-old herself shunned at Wimbledon was full of praise for her game and also her mental toughness which she believes will stand her in good stead going forward.
"I want to say Mirra Andreeva will have a phenomenal year. I followed a little bit of her matches in 2023 and I think she has a strong attitude. She has the game to back it up and genuinely I just like her approach and her sensibility in the game. I think she has a bright future ahead of her.
Somewhat ironically also she was asked about who would win a Grand Slam for the first time in 2024 and Ons Jabeur was given as the answer who lost out to Andreeva in Melbourne.
"I'm pulling for Ons Jabeur, I genuinely feel like she has an amazing chance. Not only because she has been very close before, she wholeheartedly deserves it. I also know that from seeing some of her stories on TV that she wants to be a mother and that she's ready for that chapter of her life. I hope she can lift that big one above her head soon."

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