"It turned out to be a wrong decision": Mirra Andreeva clarifies Tokyo Open absence after visa rumours

Mirra Andreeva came forward to clarify the real reason behind her absence from the Tokyo Open — a decision that ultimately cost her a place in the WTA Finals. According to reports, following a social media comment by Australian doubles specialist Ellen Perez, rumours quickly spread suggesting that the young Russian had been unable to compete due to visa issues.

Those claims circulated widely among fans and media outlets, as Andreeva’s sudden withdrawal from Tokyo came just as the Race to Riyadh was reaching its final and most decisive stage. The missed opportunity allowed Jasmine Paolini and Elena Rybakina to surpass her in the standings, leaving Andreeva as the first alternate for the WTA Finals in Riyadh.

However, Andreeva has now set the record straight. Speaking to AFP, the 18-year-old explained that her non-participation was not due to any administrative problem but rather a decision made within her team. “We just had a talk with our team and we decided to skip the tournament. In the end, it turned out to be a wrong decision,” she admitted.

Despite the disappointment, the world No. 9 showed composure and maturity when reflecting on the outcome. “I guess with experience we’re just learning,” she said. “This is just my, not even a second full year on the WTA Tour, so I think we’re just going to learn from this, we’re going to get more experience from this and next time I think we’re not going to make that mistake again.” Her comments offered an honest look into the decision-making challenges faced by young players navigating the packed WTA calendar.

Mirra Andreeva’s absence from the Tokyo Open raised eyebrows across the tennis world, especially as her participation could have been crucial in securing a spot at the WTA Finals in Riyadh. The 18-year-old Russian, who enjoyed a sensational 2025 season with two WTA 1000 titles in Dubai and Indian Wells, unexpectedly skipped the final week of the WTA calendar — a decision that ultimately cost her qualification, as Elena Rybakina overtook her in the final standings. Andreeva finished ninth in the Race and will travel to Riyadh only as the first alternate, ready to step in should there be a late withdrawal.

Her withdrawal was particularly puzzling given how tight the Race to the Finals became, with only a few points separating her from her closest rivals. According to Australian doubles specialist Ellen Perez, the reason behind Andreeva’s absence was not tactical or physical, but rather administrative — she reportedly could not play in Tokyo because she didn’t have the required visa.

It’s an unusual and unfortunate twist for a player who, for most of the season, looked firmly set to qualify among the top eight. Andreeva’s impressive run earlier in the year included quarter-final appearances at both Roland Garros and Wimbledon, a 40-16 win-loss record, and over $4.6 million in prize money earned.

Her consistent form had kept her comfortably in the Top-5 for several months, making her one of the breakout stars of 2025. However, her momentum began to fade during the Asian Swing, where she suffered a series of early exits in Beijing, Wuhan, and Ningbo. These missed opportunintes saw Paolini and Rybakina jump her into those final spots. She's now there as first alternate.

Speculation swirled when journalist José Morgado pointed out that Andreeva had initially been listed for Tokyo, even receiving an exemption wild card, before suddenly withdrawing. One fan expressed confusion over the situation, writing: “I legit don’t understand what happened here with Mirra. She was given an Exemption WC in the middle of the week and then she rescinded it.” It was Ellen Perez who provided clarity in a short but revealing response on X (formerly Twitter): “She doesn’t have the visa to play in Tokyo.”