Mirra Andreeva has received public support from Sorana Cirstea after Jessica Pegula was caught making critical remarks about the teenager during a practice session ahead of the WTA Finals. The American, who was preparing for the season-ending tournament, described the Russian as a "diva" who "needs to be humbled" in comments that were inadvertently picked up by microphones and broadcast to viewers.
Pegula was reportedly unaware that her conversation was being streamed, but her words quickly attracted attention across the tennis world. The incident added another chapter to the growing debate surrounding Andreeva's personality and on-court behaviour, with the 19-year-old having frequently found herself in the spotlight as one of the sport's most talked-about young players.
However, Cirstea offered a very different perspective on the reigning French Open champion. The Romanian, who has developed a close friendship with Andreeva despite their considerable age difference, made it clear that her personal experience with the teenager has been overwhelmingly positive.
Their relationship is particularly interesting given that Cirstea is 36 and Andreeva is 19, meaning there is a 17-year age gap between them. The two have also faced each other on court during the 2026 season, but their connection extends beyond their professional encounters, as Cirstea has become one of Andreeva's supporters on tour.
Cirstea makes her feelings about Andreeva clear after Pegula controversy
Speaking to the South China Morning Post following her defeat in Hong Kong, Cirstea was asked about Andreeva and did not hesitate to express her admiration for the teenager.
"I absolutely love Mirra, and I think she's amazing for the sport," the Romanian said. "She's a great player, and she has a great personality. I get along so well with her and ... every time she plays I'm really, really cheering for her."
The Romanian praised Andreeva's qualities beyond her tennis. Following their meeting in the Roland Garros quarter-finals earlier this year, Cirstea highlighted the positive influence of the people surrounding her.
"She's such a wonderful girl. She has a beautiful team ... she's surrounded herself with such good people," Cirstea said after the match. "She's a blessing for the sport ... such a sweet, nice, kind girl, but also at the same time has a very good personality."
Their two meetings this season have produced contrasting results. Andreeva defeated Cirstea in Linz before beating her again at Roland Garros, where she secured a commanding 6-0, 6-3 victory in the quarter-finals.
Tiene cara de niña, pero es un demonio 😈 Mirra Andreeva barre a Sorana Cirstea en 56 minutos de partido (6-0 y 6-3) y es la primera semifinalista de Roland-Garros 2026, sus segundas en París. #RolandGarros https://t.co/22u0yrU9G9
— Eurosport.es (@Eurosport_ES) June 2, 2026
Cirstea prepares to retire after the best season of her career
The comments also come during what is expected to be the final chapter of Cirstea's professional career. The Romanian had announced that 2026 would be her last season after 20 years on the WTA Tour, but her performances made the decision increasingly difficult. She reached a career-high world No. 15, advanced to the second week of the US Open and enjoyed one of the most successful campaigns of her career.
Cirstea admitted that her results had even prompted her to reconsider retirement. However, a difficult Asian swing, which included early exits in Wuhan, Ningbo and Tokyo, appears to have reinforced her original plans.
Following her defeat to Alexandra Shubladze in Hong Kong, she described the exhaustion she had experienced after a demanding season. "I was out of batteries, I didn't have anything, and it's been a long year," Cirstea said. "I need to take a break to process everything, then the final announcement will probably come in a couple of weeks."
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Her departure will mark the end of a lengthy career that included four WTA singles titles and a rise to the top 15. However, her connection with Andreeva could continue well beyond her retirement.
Cirstea has made her position clear: she remains a close friend of the teenager and intends to keep cheering for her as she continues her rise on the WTA Tour.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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mandoist06-11-2026 - Enough of her bullshit. Go marry someone.mandoist06-11-2026
- Don't you just love this young lady!? We fans often expect athletes to be supermen and superwomen, often forgetting that they WILL GET TIRED! I love Alex's perspective. Tiredness for an athlete should never be viewed as a negative, especially if you are healthy, taking care of your body and mental health and putting in the work. What a mature perspective. Good for you, Alex!Rapunzel05-11-2026
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