Home
feature-image

via Imago

feature-image

via Imago

Mirra Andreeva is making Wimbledon look like her personal playground. The 18-year-old sensation, seeded seventh and second only to World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka in the draw, has stormed into her first-ever quarterfinal at the All England Club. Facing 10th seed Emma Navarro on Monday, the Russian teen put on a clinical performance, sealing the match 6-2, 6-3 in straight sets. But the most memorable part of the showdown wasn’t a thunderous forehand or a dramatic rally; it was the fact that Andreeva completely forgot she’d won.

At love-40 in the ninth game of the second set, Andreeva clipped a cheeky dropshot that Navarro sent tumbling into the net. Job done, match over. Except Andreeva didn’t clock it. She casually walked back to the baseline, ready to keep grinding, while the American stood frozen, slightly puzzled across the net. Meanwhile, her team shot up in celebration from the player’s box, practically waving flags to let her know she’d just booked a spot in the last eight. Cue a sheepish laugh from Andreeva as she jogged forward to finally shake hands with Navarro.

Explaining her hilarious mental zone-out, the teen said: “I kept telling myself I’m facing break point and tried to tell myself I’m not the one who is up, I’m the one who is down. I was so focused that in the end I completely forgot the score. I’m happy I did it because otherwise I would be three times more nervous on the match point.”

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

 

But there was another tennis legend cheering her on from the stands. Something that made Mirra Andreeva’s match even more nerve-racking.

What’s your perspective on:

Mirra Andreeva's focus is unmatched—did her zone-out make her win even more impressive?

Have an interesting take?

Mirra Andreeva confesses to nerves under legend’s gaze

Roger Federer made his return to Wimbledon in 2025, taking his place in the Royal Box alongside wife Mirka during the Round of 16. The eight-time champion was soaking in the action on Centre Court, first watching Novak Djokovic take on Alex de Minaur. But the magic didn’t stop there—because up next, it was Mirra Andreeva and Emma Navarro’s turn to shine.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

And the teen couldn’t help but feel the pressure of playing in front of the legend. After the match, Andreeva let the nerves spill out in the most wholesome way possible. She said, “Yeah, honestly, it’s something crazy. I was super nervous before playing first time on the center court. I really tried my best not to look over there in the box because I knew that as soon as I would look there I would just completely lose my focus and so did I at 4-1. I saw Roger and Mirka, so honestly it means a lot to me that you came and watched my match. I don’t know, it’s been one of my dreams to see you in real life.”

The Russian wasn’t done just yet. She even had a sweet shoutout for Federer’s better half as she said, “So yeah, when I saw both of you I got really, really nervous but I’m just super happy that I managed to keep playing focused and just wanted to say real quick, Mirka, you look very pretty. I really like your outfit.”

With a dream run in progress and Federer in the stands, Mirra Andreeva is living her Wimbledon moment to the fullest. Next up, the 18-year-old faces Belinda Bencic in the quarterfinals on Tuesday. Experience the Championships as they unfold with EssentiallySports’ real-time updates.

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

ADVERTISEMENT

0
  Debate

Mirra Andreeva's focus is unmatched—did her zone-out make her win even more impressive?

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT

ADVERTISEMENT