Mirra Andreeva breaks down in tears after Wimbledon defeat: "It’s gonna take some time"

Thursday, 02 July 2026 at 02:30

Mirra Andreeva left her Wimbledon press conference in tears after a narrow and emotionally draining defeat to Barbora Krejcikova, unable to fully contain her reaction to a match defined by missed opportunities and shifting momentum in the closing stages.

The 19-year-old Russian, recent Roland Garros champion and one of the fastest-rising players on the WTA Tour, struggled to maintain composure as she reflected on a contest in which she had chances to close but ultimately fell short in the decisive moments.

The defeat came in a high-pressure Wimbledon second-round match that underlined the fine margins at Grand Slam level, particularly against an experienced opponent capable of surviving extended periods of pressure. Andreeva’s performance had fluctuated across key games, but her inability to convert chances proved decisive.

Her emotional reaction in the press room immediately followed the match, with visible frustration and disappointment after what she described as a tough loss.

Andreeva emotional breakdown after Wimbledon defeat

Andreeva acknowledged the difficulty of accepting the result, stressing that she felt she had opportunities during the match but was unable to capitalise on them at key moments. “I felt like it was obviously tough. She played well. I felt like I had some chances and opportunities but it didn’t go my way. So she’s the winner today.”

When asked about the emotional impact of such a close defeat, Andreeva admitted she would need time to recover mentally before returning to competition, highlighting the psychological strain of a tightly contested Grand Slam match. “I think of course I’m gonna need a couple of days.”

At that point, she became visibly emotional, covering her face with her hands as she wiped away tears. “Sorry. It’s gonna take some time. Maybe a couple days. Then I’m gonna be back to practice for hard courts. I don’t know where the next tournaments are gonna be. I still need to talk to my team to see where I’m gonna play next.”

Krejcikova survives seven match points in Wimbledon thriller

Barbora Krejcikova advanced to the third round after one of the most dramatic matches of Wimbledon so far, defeating Andreeva 4-6, 7-5, 6-4 in a contest defined by seven saved match points and repeated momentum swings across nearly three hours of play.

"It's such a special feeling to be walking on a Centre Court at Wimbledon," Krejcikova said during her press conference. "Every time I was able to get this opportunity, I feel very excited and very just pleased. It's a bit of an unreal moment that it's really happening, because to get so far from a little kid, the chances that a little kid gets here are very, very little."

The 2024 Wimbledon champion struggled to close out the match despite multiple opportunities, including a decisive phase at 5-3 in the final set where she failed to convert match points on her own serve. Earlier, she had also allowed Andreeva to recover from a 5-2 deficit in the second set, extending the match into a tense final stretch.

Despite the instability, Krejcikova eventually sealed the victory, describing the match as resembling a “Hollywood movie” due to its dramatic sequence of missed chances and momentum reversals. “Obviously Mirra is a big, big fighter. So even though I was up 5-2, then 5-3, I knew that she’s going to be putting the balls back in and she was going to make me work for it.

The match featured notable statistical volatility, with Krejcikova producing 38 winners alongside 49 unforced errors, reflecting the inconsistent rhythm and high-pressure nature of the encounter. Andreeva was unable to stabilise the closing phase despite having multiple opportunities, as Krejcikova’s defensive resilience forced errors at key moments. The 2-time Grand Slam champion will face her compatriot Nikola Bartunkova for a place in the second week of the tournament.

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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