Former world No .9 Andrey Chesnokov has suggested that Mirra Andreeva could eventually change her sporting nationality, claiming that such a move is only a matter of time. His comments come amid a growing number of Russian tennis players changing sporting nationality, with several prominent WTA players having already chosen to represent other countries since 2022.
Andreeva remains Russia's No. 1 women's player and currently sits at world No. 5 The 19-year-old has enjoyed the biggest season of her young career in 2026, winning her first Grand Slam title at Roland Garros and adding the WTA 500 tournaments in Adelaide and Linz to her six career singles titles.
The Russian has also established herself as one of the leading players on the WTA Tour, making her potential departure particularly significant for her country's tennis landscape. Andreeva trains and lives in France, a detail Chesnokov highlighted when discussing the possibility of a future change of sporting nationality.
There is no confirmation from Andreeva herself that she intends to make such a move. The latest comments instead add to speculation that has already emerged in Russia after Tennis Federation president Shamil Tarpishchev said that Andreeva was among the players being approached over a potential change of citizenship.
Chesnokov expects Andreeva to leave
Chesnokov, a former Russian professional who reached world No. 9 and won seven ATP singles titles during his career, believes Andreeva's current circumstances could eventually lead her to follow the same path as several other Russian players. Speaking to RBC Sport, he pointed specifically to her life and training base in France.
"I think Andreeva will leave (change her nationality); it's just a matter of time. She lives and trains in France, so she will definitely leave, but our other leaders at the top... The current trend is that everyone is leaving. As you can see, everyone chooses what is more comfortable for them," Chesnokov told RBC Sport.
The comments came shortly after Tarpishchev said that Andreeva was among the Russian players being approached about changing sporting nationality. The federation president had also pointed to practical difficulties such as visas and increasing travel costs as factors that can make a change more attractive to professional players.
The possibility is not without precedent. Since Russian and Belarusian teams were suspended from international team competitions in 2022, individual players have continued to compete on the WTA and ATP Tours under neutral status. According to RBC Sport, 19 Russian tennis players have changed their sporting nationality since then.
Among the latest changes in 2026 are Alina Charaeva, who now represents Armenia, Oksana Selekhmetyeva, who represents Spain, Alisa Oktyabreva, who represents the Czech Republic, and Anna Blinkova, who began representing France in September. Earlier examples include Daria Kasatkina and Varvara Gracheva.
Russia still has five players inside the Top 40
Despite the number of departures, Russian women's tennis continues to have considerable depth near the top of the rankings. Andreeva remains the leading Russian at No.5, while Diana Shnaider is No.14, Anna Kalinskaya No.21, Ekaterina Alexandrova No.27 and Liudmila Samsonova No.37.
That means Russia currently has five players inside the WTA's Top 40, a group that would give the country significant strength if its women's team eventually returns to the Billie Jean King Cup. Andreeva's presence at the top of that group makes her potential departure especially important.
Andreeva has already become the most successful Russian player of her generation. At 19, she is a Grand Slam champion and has six WTA singles titles, while her 2026 season has taken her to a career-high world No.5.
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For now, however, Andreeva remains a Russian player competing under neutral status, and there is no confirmed decision to change her sporting nationality. Chesnokov's prediction has added another layer to the discussion, but any change would have to come from Andreeva herself.
If Andreeva were eventually to follow the growing group of Russian players changing sporting nationality, it would represent a major development for both her career and Russian women's tennis. For the moment, though, the possibility remains speculation, with the world No.5 continuing to compete as a neutral Russian player.
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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