At the age of 19, Mirra Andreeva is showcasing a new standard of great talent at Roland-Garros. Since Coco Gauff was the most representative example of youthful talent on the clay courts of Paris, Andreeva has passed her.

On Tuesday, June 2, Andreeva became the first player to reach the main draw at Roland-Garros 16 times, and for women’s singles since the year 2000. Coco Gauff was previously the record holder for most wins at the event by a teenage player, with 15 wins.

Andreeva broke the record in a stunning display, as she defeated the 18th-seeded player, Sorana Cirstea, with a score of 6-0, 6-3 at Court Philippe-Chatrier.

The numbers of that victory tell the full story. Cirstea had dropped just nine games across four rounds before facing Andreeva, yet was bagelled in the opening set, the Russian never allowing the contest to find any genuine balance before closing it out 6-3 in the second.

This isn't the first time Andreeva has made herself at home at Roland-Garros. As a 17-year-old, she made the semis in 2024, losing to Jasmine Paolini. This makes Tuesday's result her second Roland-Garros semi-final before the age of 20.

Andreeva has had a monster season, with 34 wins, more than any other player, and is 20-3 in her last 23. She is sitting on the Roland-Garros all-time teenage win list above Kim Clijsters (14), Ana Ivanovic (12), and Maria Sharapova (11).

And these victories are impressive, but what is even more impressive are the contributions they have.

How Andreeva Is Winning the Mental Battle at Roland-Garros

Andreeva deliberately found a way to silence the mental chaos that comes up during big games. Compared to her peers, the technique she has found is much more advanced for someone her age.

"Sometimes there are thoughts that come into your head that you cannot really control - like, 'You've been playing so great, what if this stops,' or, what if you start missing, or, 'What if she starts to play better?'" Andreeva shared.

Her response to those spiraling moments is specific and practiced. "I've been talking to my psychologist, and she told me to imagine a big stop sign on the road, that red sign with 'STOP.' So I've been trying to imagine that. Obviously, some breathing techniques help a lot as well, and also switching my focus a little bit," she added.

This technique is also very timely. In earlier matches, she could be seen hitting herself with her racket, throwing it, and trash-talking the Indian Wells audience after her third-round elimination.

This year at Roland-Garros, she has shown massive development by running a mental chaos-free game through the entire tournament.

She now faces the winner of the quarter-final match between Elina Svitolina and Marta Kostyuk to win a spot at the finals.

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Written by

Utsav Gupta

Edited by

Utsav Gupta