"Nothing to envy in Coco Gauff": Mirra Andreeva way ahead of previous champion and just behind Sabalenka and Rybakina

Sunday, 07 June 2026 at 15:29

Andreeva, wearing a blue dress, kisses her French Open trophy

Mirra Andreeva won through at the French Open, defeating Cinderella story Maja Chwalinska 6-3, 6-2 to win her maiden Grand Slam title. But now she is being compared to the big names at the top of the sport and whether she is ahead or behind them.

Fabrice Santoro on Prime Video Sport said that she is just behind Sabalenka and Rybakina in reality who in his view lead the sport but she doesn't have anything to worry about when it comes to Coco Gauff who was previous champion.

While other top names such as Swiatek and Anisimova weren't in the conversation despite their ranking position with Santoro by that estimation seeing a big three emerging at the top of the sport of Andreeva, Sabalenka and Rybakina. “Can she become world number 1? Excellent question, it’s difficult to answer,” said the former world No 17.

“We knew she would win a Grand Slam, but we didn’t know when. She has now done so, and she will undoubtedly go for more.

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“I think that today, she is a tremendous champion, perhaps slightly below [Aryna] Sabalenka over twelve months, and maybe [Elena] Rybakina as well.

“I think she has nothing to envy in Coco Gauff, for example; that’s just my opinion.”

Mirra Andreeva the new champion.

Just sheer elation for Andreeva

But while Andreeva was very much just visualising the end result and couldn't believe it, it wasn't about any grand plans or guestimations. But of course she has had this long in her sights and has often been lauded as the next top talent to win a Grand Slam so she has fulfilled that by winning in Paris.

“I still can’t believe I’m doing a press conference with a Grand Slam trophy next to me.

“It was always one of the biggest dreams of my life. I’m very happy to have given my best and to have been able to win this tournament.

“I’ve done a lot of visualisation exercises before, not just for this tournament: I always had dreams, thoughts, about how it would happen, if it would happen, when, where.

“But the feeling in real life is much better than when you live it in your dreams. To look at this trophy, to realise that it’s real and that I can call myself a Grand Slam champion. It’s an amazing feeling.”

Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief

Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.

Based in Leicester, Samuel has a broad background in tennis media. In his current role, he works closely with editors and writers to ensure coverage meets clear journalistic standards, with particular attention to verification, consistency, and timely updates when new information becomes available.

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