Mirra Andreeva stunned by bizarre gift from Asian fans: “I got a big box of basil with my face on it”
WTA
Mirra Andreeva arrives at the China Open with the WTA Finals firmly in her mind, but she is in a much stronger position than she was 12 months ago. The 19-year-old Russian is fourth in the WTA Race and the No. 4 seed in Beijing, where she received a first-round bye.
Her second-round opponent will be local wildcard Yue Yuan, a 28-year-old former Top-40 player who presents a tricky opening test. Andreeva began her Asian swing in Singapore, reaching the quarterfinals before losing to Leylah Fernandez.
As a Grand Slam champion, Andreeva has practically secured her WTA Finals place, with a Top-20 finish enough to guarantee qualification. However, last year's experience explains why she remains cautious after missing out at the final moment.
Andreeva was in contention entering the Asian swing last year, but Elena Rybakina's late-season run and the Russian's withdrawal from Tokyo ultimately pushed her out of the qualification places. This time, she wants to make sure there is no repeat.
Andreeva has not forgotten last year's disappointment
“I feel like you’ve asked me that question last year. I didn’t make it. So hopefully this year, I mean, I think I do have better chances this year as I’m a little bit higher in the race. But, you know, obviously it’s in the back of my mind. I think that there is no way that I don’t think about it. Obviously, I need to play well in the Asian swing in order to qualify.”
Her approach is simple: keep winning and let the qualification picture take care of itself. “So I have like two goals, obviously play great and try to win as many more matches. And if I do that, you know, I have more chances to qualify. So hopefully, you know, this year it works out and yeah, we’ll see. But I’ll definitely do my best.”
Andreeva also believes her Grand Slam breakthrough taught her an important lesson about trusting herself. “I also think that I’ve learned that, you know, if I believe in myself like I did in Paris, I can win good matches, I can beat a lot of players, so I just need to kind of find that belief again in myself where I just think that I can do a certain thing that I set in my mind.”
Andreeva stunned by bizarre Asian gift
The Russian also has plenty of reasons to enjoy the Asian swing, particularly the reception she receives from fans.
“I love playing in Asia. First of all, I’ve got to say that the atmosphere is great because of the fans. I feel like the fans are crazy about tennis and, I don’t know, it just feels like I have extra motivation to perform well and to stay here a little bit longer.”
That support has also produced some memorable gifts, including one that Andreeva admits she does not quite know what to do with. “Also, I have like two extra suitcases of gifts after I leave the Asian swing, but I love playing here. It’s also one of my favorite swings.”
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Then came the unusual present. “A favorite gift? Well, what comes to my mind first, actually yesterday I got a big box of basil with my face on it, like huge, you know, like my face in the middle. I was like, I don’t know if I will obviously try to do something with it, but that’s like one of the presents that just stands out in my mind for now.”
Andreeva later explained that the gift was made from puzzle pieces that formed a large picture of her face. Her next task, however, is less mysterious: navigating Yuan and keeping her WTA Finals campaign on track.
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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