Mirra Andreeva Used Maria Sharapova as Inspiration During Her French Open Final: “I Hoped She Watched My Match”

Mirra Andreeva, on Saturday (June 6), dismantled Maja Chwalinska 6-3, 6-2 on Court Philippe-Chatrier, becoming the first Russian woman since Maria Sharapova to win a Grand Slam title. Andreeva, 19, is also the third-youngest woman in this century to win a Major. The youngest to win was Sharapova (she was 17 when she won the 2004 Wimbledon).

She has now added three Big Titles to her trophy cabinet, because prior to this Roland Garros win, she clinched back-to-back WTA 1000 titles last year in Dubai and Indian Wells. Andreeva was only a child when Sharapova lifted her career’s last Grand Slam title at the 2014 French Open, also winning her second title in the tournament.

At the press conference after her win, the teenager was asked whether she remembered watching Sharapova win the French Open title.

Of course, I remember her winning here. Obviously, she’s played amazing on clay, winning how many, two? I knew she was here in Paris, and I don’t know if she was watching the final, but I was hoping that she was. I was thinking to myself that if she’s watching, it’d be really nice to show a good level.

Sharapova played three consecutive French Open finals from 2012 to 2014, losing only in 2013 to her old foe Serena Williams. She beat Sara Errani in 2012 and Simona Halep in 2014.

I also know that Svetlana Kuznetsova, she was also here. She sent me a lot of voice messages before the match, trying to give me a lot of positive thoughts and a little bit of encouragement. I really appreciate that as well, and I hope that they both watched the final and enjoyed it.

Mirra Andreeva added

Sharapova also took to her Instagram story to congratulate the young champion. The 39-year-old wrote that Andreeva’s lowkey celebration (she dropped to her knees and covered her face) showed she was “excited, but not satisfied” and it was a “sign of a champion“.

Mirra Andreeva now wants to win Wimbledon

Mirra Andreeva is the winner of three hardcourt and three clay-court titles. She has never played a final on grass, with her best performance at Wimbledon being a quarterfinal appearance last year (she lost to Belinda Bencic).

Andreeva, at the press conference, said she wants to experience the feelings of winning a Major once again and is already thinking of Wimbledon.

I would say yes. These feelings are somewhat more special than usual. Honestly, I’m already thinking about how I’m going to prepare for the grass court season, how I’m going to play on grass. I feel like this is a bit addictive (smiles). I want to give my best to be able to experience it again.

Six-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek will enter Wimbledon as the defending champion. She double-bageled Amanda Anisimova last year.

Andreeva clinched her third title of the season in the French capital after her win in Adelaide (beat Victoria Mboko) and Linz (beat Anastasia Potapova). She also played the final of the Madrid Open but failed to beat Marta Kostyuk.

Andreeva, however, took her revenge on Kostyuk in the semifinal of this French Open. The only time Andreeva dropped a set was against Marina Bassols Ribera in the second round. She also handed a bagel to Sorana Cirstea in the quarterfinals.

Roland Garros is the only Major where Andreeva has consistently performed since making her Major main draw debut at the 2023 French Open. Before this year’s clay-court event, Andreeva had played just one Grand Slam semifinal. It was here back in 2024, with eventual runner-up Jasmine Paolini ending her run.

Also read: Alexander Zverev Reveals the Key Previous Mistakes he Hopes to Not Repeat in Roland Garros Final