A bit anticlimatic end to RG on women's side. Plenty of good matches in earlier rounds and I kind of lost interest by the time SF and F arrived. I haven't watched any of those 3 matches. Looks like similar pattern on the men's side.
Surprise here and there is good, but I prefer to watch top players in the end. I don't think people were lining up to watch this and certainly not many people will be too interested in Zverev Cobolli.
Stop that. A lot of people wanted to watch this match. You had a top player, and probably the brightest future rising star, in Andreeva, and a nice, surprise underdog story. If you have no interest in that, then that's a you problem, not a women's tennis problem. Women's tennis is in really good hands, and now has a new star in Andreeva.
Reflection on the Run: Maya describes the last three weeks as "unforgettable" and a historic run. Although she felt she didn't play her absolute best tennis, she is proud of her effort and the fact that she gave everything. She acknowledges that Mirra Andreeva played better and deserved to win.
Confidence and Growth: A major takeaway was gaining confidence by facing high-ranked players for the very first time. She notes that the gap between players ranked around 100 and the top is very thin, and that success often requires many factors to "click" after years of hard work and patience.
Physical and Mental State: She admitted to being very stressed and nervous throughout the tournament, noting she hadn't been able to eat properly for three weeks. She also mentioned struggling with the mental aspect of the game, which is common in tennis due to the individual pressure and public scrutiny.
Performance on Grass: While grass was a struggle for her last year, she believes her game suits the surface well, citing her ability to use touch, slices, and good movement. However, she struggled with the wind conditions in the final, which Mirra handled much better.
Future Plans:
Immediate Break: Maya plans to take a vacation immediately to recharge after three weeks of intense play.
Wimbledon: She confirmed she will only play Wimbledon this year. She mentioned hoping for a wild card but doesn't currently expect one, though she will treat it as a challenge if it comes.
Other Tournaments: She stated she will not play any tournaments on other surfaces before Wimbledon.
Handling Fame: Maya feels grounded and supported by her team. She plans to stay focused on her priorities and continue working hard to improve every day, acknowledging that the next step will be different but manageable.
Historic Victory: Mirra Andreeva captured her maiden Grand Slam title, describing the experience as far better than her visualizations and dreams. She expressed immense pride in officially calling herself a Grand Slam champion.
Mental Resilience: Andreeva credited her psychologist heavily for her success, noting they spoke before the semi-final and final to help her manage nerves. She highlighted a recent mental shift since a difficult time in Madrid, where she chose to adopt a "fighter" mindset and emulate the on-court aura of Novak Djokovic.
The Final Match: She faced a tough challenge against Maja Chwalinska, noting the tricky wind conditions made play difficult. Despite leading 5-0 and 5-2 in the second set, Chwalinska forced a scare before Andreeva closed it out. Andreeva used her court-side notebook to write tactical adjustments and motivational quotes before and after every match.
Support System: Andreeva shared the moment with her coach, who she has worked with through many highs and lows, including a difficult period at the end of last year. She also mentioned receiving encouraging voice messages from former champions like Svetlana Kuznetsova and hoped Maria Sharapova was watching.
Unique Celebration: In a memorable moment, Andreeva brought a dog named Luna onto the court for her celebration. The dog belonged to her coach, and is 11 years old.
Future Outlook: Now a champion, Andreeva is already thinking about the upcoming grass season and is eager to win more titles, describing the feeling of winning as "addicting."
Personal Philosophy: When asked about thanking herself in her victory speech, she explained it is a reminder to acknowledge one's own hard work and effort. She also touched on the geopolitical complexities facing Russian athletes, stating that when she plays, she focuses solely on tennis and competing, avoiding political thoughts during matches.