Mirra Andreeva Not Focusing on Grand Slam Prize Money Dispute and Possible Boycott

The Italian Open is underway at the Foro Italico, and Mirra Andreeva, after her Madrid Open final defeat, will be chasing her third WTA 1000 title of her career. The 19-year-old became the first teenager to reach three WTA 1000 finals, but she failed to end the Madrid Open in her favor, losing the match to Marta Kostyuk.

Andreeva will kick off her campaign against Antonia Ruzic in the second round of the Italian Open. She produced her best performance in the tournament when she reached the quarterfinals last year.

In the pre-tournament press conference, Andreeva was asked about the ongoing prize money dispute. Players want the Grand Slam events to increase their share of revenue. The total prize money for this year’s French Open is $72.1 million. The men’s and women’s winners will receive $3.25 million each, while runners-up will get $1.6 million.

Aryna Sabalenka is convinced that if the Majors don’t fulfill their demands, then players could end up boycotting a Grand Slam event. Coco Gauff and Elena Rybakina also shared the same opinion.

I wouldn’t say I have too much experience to talk about all that. I just go to play tournaments and try to put all my work and concentration into winning. Right now, my focus is not on the prize money. What I try to do is gain experience and matches. That’s what I’m focused on.

Mirra Andreeva said

She will be focusing on winning her third title of the season after her victories at the Adelaide International and the Linz Open. The teen sensation won these events by defeating reigning Canadian Open champion Victoria Mboko and Anastasia Potapova, respectively.

Mirra Andreeva on her performance on clay

Mirra Andreeva has made deep runs in every clay-court event she has played so far. After her successful run in Linz, she lost the Stuttgart Open semifinal to eventual champion Elena Rybakina, before losing the Madrid final. In the pre-tournament press conference, Andreeva talked about her clay-court ambitions.

I understand that it has been very good weeks on clay. I played three consecutive weeks going far, won a tournament, and lost a final. Overall, I would say it’s an incredible start to the clay tour. But, obviously, I’m not completely happy because every tournament I play, I want to go for it and win it. There are two ways to see it. I try to focus on the positive part and think that they have been great weeks on clay.

Andreeva has won two titles on clay. Prior to the Linz Open, she also lifted the 2024 Iasi Open.

I love playing in Madrid. Here, the conditions are different. Today it had also rained, and the court was heavier, the balls became larger, and they don’t fly as much. You have to be smart to adapt your game and not keep hitting as hard as in Madrid. Here, you have to build points in a different way.

Mirra Andreeva added

Last year, she played two back-to-back WTA 1000 finals, winning the Dubai Tennis Championships by defeating Clara Tauson and the Indian Wells Open against Aryna Sabalenka.

Jasmine Paolini will enter the Italian Open as the defending champion. Last year, she defeated Coco Gauff to win her career’s second WTA 1000 singles title. The main draw of the tournament began on May 5, and the final is set for May 16th.

After Rome, some top players are expected to feature at the Strasbourg Open. Andreeva did not feature in the WTA 500 event last year. In the French Open, Andreeva, who is a one-time semifinalist, reached the quarterfinals last year.

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