"That’s how I deal with the pressure points": Mirra Andreeva highlights impact of Roger Federer on her career after impressive run at Indian Wells

Russia’s young tennis sensation Mirra Andreeva has once again highlighted the impact former world number one Roger Federer had on her career. The 43-year-old, who is regarded as one of the greatest players in the history of men’s tennis in the singles category in the Open era, having won as many as 20 Grand Slam titles, retired from professional tennis in September 2022. On the other hand, the 17-year-old is regarded as one for the future and has already put in some impressive performances.

Andreeva is currently taking part in the WTA 1000 event — Indian Wells — which is being organised in California. The youngster cemented her spot in the semifinal after beating Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina in straight sets with a score of 7-5, 6-3. Andreeva, while speaking to the media after the match, once again highlighted how much impact former world number one Federer had on her career.

"I think everyone feels nervous but it just depends on how you manage it! And today, I was facing a lot of breakpoints and I just told myself 'people are expecting me to be like a champion so try to act like one'. When I was returning, I was trying to remember Roger Federer in my mind and go for my shots. That’s how I deal with the pressure points."

Andreeva is now set to face the reigning world number two, Poland’s Iga Swiatek, in the semifinal of the competition. The 23-year-old, who is now regarded as one of the best players currently playing in women’s tennis in the singles category, along with the likes of Belarus’ Aryna Sabalenka and America’s Coco Gauff, defeated China’s Zheng Qinwen in the quarterfinal in straight sets with a score of 6-3, 6-3 to cement her spot in the last-four. It will be the third meeting between the two players. In the previous two meetings, both players emerged victorious on one occasion.