Mirra Andreeva Expresses Wish to Follow in Rafael Nadal’s Footsteps: “Hope I Can Achieve That”
Mirra Andreeva, who won two WTA 1000 titles in 2025, said she wants to be remembered as a humble person like Rafael Nadal.
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Mirra Andreeva, Rafael Nadal (Image via X/Bola Correndo, H)
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Mirra Andreeva is just 18 but has shown that she has the ability to win Grand Slam titles in the future. Andreeva, ahead of the 2026 season, participated in the MGM Macau Tennis Masters.
She missed the first day of the two-day exhibition event due to illness. But on the second day, on Sunday (December 28), she defeated Alexandra Eala. Following the match, she expressed her wish to win at least a couple of Grand Slam titles. Andreeva also wants to be remembered as a humble tennis player just like her idol, Rafael Nadal.
Well, of course, like every other player, I want to win a couple of Grand Slams. That would be great for me. Honestly, I just want to stay me and be I would say a player that everyone would remember for being kind of curious on court, do whatever she wants on the court, be very interesting to watch, and always stay humble, like Rafa said. So I just want to be a player to remember on the tour, and I hope that I can achieve that.
Mirra Andreeva said (Story10)
Andreeva reached two finals this year, at the WTA 1000 levels, winning both. She beat Clara Tauson at the Dubai Open, while in the Indian Wells finals, she went past World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka. It was the third title of her career. The last time she played in singles this year was at the Ningbo Open, where she lost to Zhu Lin.
In spite of winning two WTA 1000s, she failed to secure a berth at the WTA Finals. But in doubles, she and fellow Russian ace, Diana Shnaider, qualified for the year-end event. They failed to progress to the semifinals.
Greg Rusedski on whether Rafael Nadal would consider coaching Carlos Alcaraz
Carlos Alcaraz has parted ways with his coach of seven years, Juan Carlos Ferrero. Samuel Lopez, who joined the 22-year-old’s team in December last year, is expected to become the main coach.
Amidst discussions regarding who will join Alcaraz’s team next, former Grand Slam finalist Greg Rusedski said he doesn’t think Rafael Nadal would consider coaching his fellow Spaniard because not much time has passed since the 22-time Grand Slam champion called time on his career.
I just don’t think Rafael Nadal is at a time in his life when he wants to get back on the tour and travel every week. Nadal has two young children, and he seems to be enjoying his retirement, so I just don’t see him giving everything up to go back on the road with Alcaraz.
Greg Rusedski said on his Off Court with Greg podcast
Nadal hung up his racket at the 2024 Davis Cup after Spain lost their quarterfinal match against eventual runners-up the Netherlands. The 39-year-old had paired up with the 22-year-old at the Paris Olympics last year.
Alcaraz has split with Ferrero because of failed contract negotiations, as the latter disagreed with certain clauses in the contract. Ferrero did not give every detail about what happened behind the scenes, but he believes things could have been solved had both parties communicated better.
Alcaraz’s next big goal will be to win the Australian Open to complete the Career Grand Slam. If he wins, he will become the youngest man in the Open Era to do so, surpassing Nadal, who achieved it at the age of 24. The six-time Grand Slam champion, however, has never progressed beyond the quarterfinals, reaching the last eight in 2024 and 2025, losing both in four sets to Alexander Zverev and Novak Djokovic, respectively. This year, Alcaraz won eight titles from 11 finals.
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