"I think I would be more comfortable playing with Rublev": Mirra Andreeva quote comes full circle as 16-year-old teams with compatriot at World Tennis League

16-year-old sensation Mirra Andreeva paired up with Andrey Rublev in the defeat against the Polish duo Iga Swiatek and Hubert Hurkacz. The Russian tennis player had previously admitted during her stint at the 2023 French Open that she would like to play mixed doubles with Rublev, and six months later, her wish came true.

Rublev and Andreeva teamed up in the exhibition tournament, World Tennis League, held in Abu Dhabi, Saudi Arabia. Leading the way as part of Team Eagles, they reached the final and will vie for the title against the Kites, led by Aryna Sabalenka and Grigor Dimitrov.

Just a few months ago, Andreeva was a relative unknown to most fans. However, her remarkable breakthrough caught everyone's attention, marked by several victories over top-20 players. When asked which male player she would like to play doubles with after reaching the third round of Roland Garros, the Russian responded, 'I’d feel most comfortable playing with Andrey Rublev because he’s kind. I’m also kind of nice. If one day he asks me, I will say yes & yes & YES,” current world No. 57 said.

The young tennis player started the year showcasing herself as one of the promising talents in women's tennis by reaching the Australian Open girls' final. However, few could have predicted Andreeva's rapid adaptation to the WTA Tour. After winning two ITF tournaments, she earned a wild card for the main draw of the Madrid Open and surprised everyone by winning three matches to reach the octaves. Along the way, she defeated the 2021 US Open finalist Keylah Fernandez, world No. 13 Beatriz Haddad Maia, and world No. 17 Magda Linette.

Andreeva also reached the third round of the French Open and the fourth round of Wimbledon, securing victories over strong opponents such as Barbora Krejcikova (10th) and Anastasia Potapova (22nd). Towards the end of the year, at the WTA 1000 China Open, she reached the octaves coming from the qualifying rounds. Andreeva recently won the WTA Award 'Newcomer of the Year,' climbing from world No. 405 to 45.