“I don’t like to see that,” Serena Williams ex-coach disapproves of Mirra Andreeva’s actions during Indian Wells final against Aryna Sabalenka
Mirra Andreeva furiously hit the ball into the crowd after losing the first set against Aryna Sabalenka in the final of Indian Wells.
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Mirra Andreeva (via X/BNP Paribas Open)
Mirra Andreeva has been the darling of the tennis community for the past few weeks. The Russian received amazing support from tennis fans, players, and legends from around the world after winning back-to-back WTA 1000 titles. But recently, she received some flak from Serena Williams‘ ex-coach, Rennae Stubbs, following an attitude in the Indian Wells final.
Andreeva’s excellent display so her emerge as the Dubai Tennis Championships champion after beating Clara Tauson in straight sets. The 17-year-old star had enjoyed an impressive of beating three Grand Slam champions en route to the final. She did exactly the same in Indian Wells, beating Elena Rybakina and Iga Swiatek in the fourth round and semifinals.
She then fought back from a set down to defeat the World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka to cap off another excellent run in Indian Wells. However, during the match, she seemed lost during the first set, which led her to express her frustration by hitting the ball into the crowd. The act has led Rennae Stubbs to Slam her for her attitude.
We saw her get p***** off. We saw her hit that ball out of the crowd, and she said, ‘I am really sorry about how I acted.’ as you would probably say, I think she said in the ceremony, I would call that being a brat. I do not like to see that. I do not like to see balls hit out like that. I do not like to see the way Iga [hit the ball], who also said sorry. And this is coming from someone who had a pretty good temper on the court, but I was not a real ball hitter out of the court. I was more of a self-sabotage.
Rennae Stubbs said via Rennae Stubbs podcast
Nonetheless, Andreeva did apologize for losing her emotions during the trophy presentation after beating Sabalenka. She now has three WTA titles, one 250 level and two 1000 level in the last eight months.
Rennae Stubbs says WTA needs to make blanket rules to keep players from angrily hitting the ball
During the Indian Wells Open, Iga Swiatek has a sudden burst of emotions during her semifinal tie against Mirra Andreeva. The Polish star was seen in a viral video swiping a ball thrown to her by a ball boy which missed the boy and also missed her team. Fans on social media criticized the former World No.1 for her actions.
The World No.2 recently apologized on Instagram, claiming that she did not want to offend anyone. Added with what Mirra Andreeva did in the final, Rennae Stubbs has suggested that the tennis administration make a blanket time to stop players from angrily hitting balls into the crowd or out of the stadium.
This hitting balls out the stadium has got to stop. The tennis administration needs to make some blanket rules that if you hit balls into the crowd or out of the stadium, or something like that, you lose a game or you lose something enormous. Maybe not a walkover immediately but a really big fine or something. Because that’s the only way to stop it. There’s too much ambiguity.
Rennae Stubbs said via Rennae Stubbs podcast
Swiatek will take to the court at the Miami Open as she aims to bounce back from her loss to Andreeva in the semifinals. The Polish star has yet to win a title since the 2024 Roland Garros.
Mirra Andreeva to face Veronika Kudermetova in the second round of the Miami Open
Mirra Andreeva earned a first-round bye at the Miami Open due to ranking position. She will open her account in the second round against Veronika Kudermetova. This will be the first career meeting between them, so the head-to-head currently stands at 0-0. The winner of the match will likely face Amanda Anisimova in the second round.
Andreeva is hoping to continue with her WTA 1000 form, which has since her clinched titles in Dubai and Indian Wells. However, her major first test in Miami will come in the fourth round as she will face either Emma Raducanu or Emma Navarro.
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