“I wasn’t even thinking about it”: Mirra Andreeva responds to world No. 1 talk after Beijing defeat

Monday, 12 October 2026 at 04:30

Mirra Andreeva missed out on the China Open title after losing to Zheng Qinwen in the Beijing final, but the Russian left the tournament with bigger ambitions for the remainder of the season. The 19-year-old addressed the growing discussion around her ranking prospects after admitting that reaching world No. 1 had never been among her original goals for 2026.

Andreeva fell 7-5, 6-4 to Zheng, who became the first Chinese player to win the women's singles title at the tournament. The Russian had opportunities to take control of the match but could not convert them into a decisive advantage, allowing Zheng to claim the biggest title of her career.

Despite the disappointment, Andreeva was encouraged by her level throughout the week. She reached the final after a strong run in Beijing and secured qualification for her first WTA Finals, giving her another significant milestone to carry into the closing weeks of the season.

Her post-match assessment offered a glimpse into how her priorities have changed. Andreeva acknowledged that a higher ranking was now within reach, although she remained reluctant to get caught up in the growing expectations surrounding her position on the WTA Tour.

Andreeva admits she was unlucky in Beijing final

Andreeva credited Zheng's performance while pointing to the key moments that went against her. Rather than questioning the result, she acknowledged that her opponent had repeatedly found a way to take advantage when the match was there to be won.

“Yeah, of course, it was a tough match. She played well. I felt like I was a little bit unlucky with some moments during the match," Andreeva said during her post-match interview. "I don't know. Also, I feel like whenever I had a good opportunity to, I don't know, be the one up in the score or win the games, you know, she was the one taking the advantage, playing good.”

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The defeat did not erase the progress Andreeva felt she had made across the tournament. Asked about the positives, she highlighted her improving level and the confidence she had built from one match to the next.

“Yes, I think for sure there is a lot of positive that I can take from this tournament, you know, with the way that I was feeling when I was playing on the court. I think also with every match that I was playing, starting from the first round, I felt like I was playing better and better.

“So, I was raising my level. I think I've improved on some certain shots in my game. I think I was serving well. I think I also felt more confident on the court. So, of course, you know, also after talking with Conchita, I think I will be able to see even more good things.”

Andreeva's conclusion to the match was brief, with the Russian already looking toward what comes next. “So, yeah, just didn't, I guess, didn't mean to be and that's okay. We just move on.”

“The rankings weren't my goal for this season”

The conversation then turned to the possibility of Andreeva climbing further up the rankings, with the interviewer asking whether the fight for the top positions had entered her thinking.

“Yes, for sure. It's actually funny because the ranking was not my goal for this season and now I feel like, you know, when I didn't even think about it, now I have chances to climb the rankings and go even higher. So, of course, you know, that's something that obviously I will try to do.”

Andreeva was quick to put the scale of that ambition into perspective, estimating that the gap between her and Elena Rybakina was around 3,000 points.

“I don't know how big the gap is between, I think I looked and it was like between me and Elena, I think it was like 3000 points. So, it's pretty big. So, I don't know like what you guys are talking about, but, you know, that's okay.”

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Rather than setting her sights on a particular ranking, Andreeva said she would continue to concentrate on her immediate task. “I think I'll just try not to even focus on rankings and just try to focus on every match that I have ahead.”

Her China Open run has strengthened her position among the leading players and earned her a place at the WTA Finals. The loss to Zheng denied her the title, but Andreeva's own assessment suggests that her attention is already on maintaining her progress rather than dwelling on the final result.

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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