“I would’ve been happy to lose, to be honest,” said Roger Federer to Rafael Nadal after outclassing him for the Australian Open crown in 2017. Regarded as one of the most riveting matches in history, the thrilling showcase screams greatness. The Swiss Maestro overturned Rafa’s comeback efforts by beating him 6-4 3-6 6-1 3-6 6-3 to claim his fifth title Down Under and overall 18th Slam win. Though fans might’ve forgotten about the contest, seeing as the tour never fails to deliver mouth-watering showdowns, the episode from Melbourne lives rent-free in Mirra Andreeva‘s memories. And, it’s for reasons particularly unknown to fans.

Speaking to a Russian YouTube channel, More!, the young talent revealed why she saw the match on repeat during her time in Dubai. “I chose that match because I remember how we were training in Sochi in 2017 and I watched this final on TV. I watched it with friends and there was a boy who also played tennis and he was rooting for Nadal really hard and I was rooting hard for Federer.” And so, the sides were drawn and naturally, a hardcore Federer fan, Andreeva cheered him to victory.

She continued, “I remember my emotions when Federer won. I was so happy I was jumping, running around. Since that moment, that match has been stuck in my head. I remember what an awesome match it was and how well Federer played. So I decided to rewatch it before the matches for motivation. I watched the highlights from the match every day of the tournament. I started to watch them because I was interested, but then I couldn’t stop, so I had to keep watching because I couldn’t break the routine.”

Ever since announcing herself on the big stage in 2023 when she reached the fourth round of the Madrid Open, Andreeva’s footing on the tour has only tightened. And, her ranking status reflects that progress. Merely eight months after registering her maiden semifinal Grand Slam outing at the French Open last year, the young Russian recorded yet another milestone – one that ironically equals Spaniard Nadal.

Mirra Andreeva matches Rafael Nadal’s feat after clinching her first-ever Masters 1000 title in Dubai

The teenager was drawn a tough draw at the WTA Masters 1000 event, but that hardly stopped her from derailing Polish Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina‘s plans for a deep run in the quarterfinal and the semifinal, respectively. She locked horns with Clara Tauson, who lifted the ASB Classic crown in January. Despite facing resistance in the opening set, the 17-year-old overpowered the Dane, 7-6(1), 6-1, in one hour and 46 minutes.

With this, she became only the second teenager to claim the coveted title, since Rafael Nadal did so in 2006! Ironically, the 2006 edition of the ATP contest saw Rafa rally from a set down to defeat former World No. 1 Federer in the title decider.

At just 17, Andreeva is now the youngest WTA player to win the Masters 1000 event since the format’s introduction in 2009. Moreover, her latest achievement has also helped her break through the Top 10 for the first time. She will now rise to a career-high No. 9 in the world, making her the first Russian 17-year-old on the tour since Nicole Vaidisova in 2007 to achieve that record.

“I’ve been dreaming of having a press conference with a trophy by my side, so finally it happened,” smiled Andreeva. “This is the exact goal that I’m [now] going to set for myself, to be top five by the end of the year. I’m very curious if I will be able to achieve it.” What do you think? Let us know the comments below!