DUBAI DUTY FREE TENNIS CHAMPIONSHIPS

February 19, 2025

Mirra Andreeva

Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium

Press Conference

M. ANDREEVA/P. Stearns

6-1, 6-1

THE MODERATOR: Mirra, congratulations. How did you feel out there today?

MIRRA ANDREEVA: Thank you. Yeah, it was tough to play two matches in one day. The rain decided that, so we had no choice.

Yeah, just tried to stay active after my first match. I'm really happy with my win today.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. What's more annoying, to have to play two matches in one day or wait around all day for a match that never comes?

MIRRA ANDREEVA: I would say that waiting all day because I know that yesterday Eva Lys and Jasmine waited the whole day just to play one point in the end, so that was a bit strange (smiling).

Yeah, I cannot imagine how hard it was I guess for Jasmine to also keep her focus. She did well winning right away.

Yeah, me, I would prefer still to play two matches than to wait all day.

Q. I don't know if you know about the incident that happened with Emma Raducanu yesterday. Something happened in the stands. For you, especially as a young player on tour, have you ever had any scary interactions? In general, how do you feel about safety on the tour?

MIRRA ANDREEVA: Yeah, I saw a video on social media that something happened. I guess she had some kind of a small panic attack. Of course, that's awful, especially when it happens during the match. I cannot imagine how she felt.

But me, thank God I didn't really have something like that. Of course, after every loss I think every player receives bunch of hateful messages.

I remember once when I was young, when I was 14 years old, I was playing one of my first ITF tournaments and I received a message after my loss that, Look around, because I'm going to find you and I'm going to cut your arms.

Sorry if I can say that, but that's what I received. That was still the one that I remember until today.

Yeah, I guess everyone, every player receives a lot of hateful messages. I just hope that, yeah, in the end of the day I don't think that we really pay attention to that.

Q. Do you feel safe at tournaments in general, just interacting with fans?

MIRRA ANDREEVA: Yeah, to be honest I've never felt that I'm in danger. We have a lot of security around us when we go out of the court and we sign the balls and we take pictures. Me, I always see three to four security guards around me, so I feel very safe.

I've never, ever thought that something can happen. Thanks to the organizers I guess that they provide us with safety.

Q. You play a lot of doubles also. With the US Open changing the doubles, bringing it forward, are you happy with that or would you like it to be played the way it used to be played?

MIRRA ANDREEVA: Well, I think that it's a great opportunity for singles players, but I also feel like it's not really fair for doubles players because I don't think they can play because I think the priority is for singles. It's kind of an exhibition tournament that is only for two days.

Well, I think for singles players it's great because they get to practice, they get to have a bit of fun before the nervous two weeks starts. Yeah, I think that for doubles players it's a bit unfortunate that I don't think they can really play the tournament.

Q. You are still very young. What is your thoughts to reach the top five or win a Masters or a major?

MIRRA ANDREEVA: Well, for now of course me personally, I don't care which tournament, but I just want to win, starting from 250 and ending with a slam of course. I think that on this level every tournament you win gives you a lot of confidence. For me, doesn't really matter what is the level of the tournament.

Also in terms of ranking, I've set a goal to reach top 10 by the end of the year. I hope that I can make it. Yeah, I don't know, but I will try my best.

Q. How do you look ahead to your next match? What do you make of the opportunity?

MIRRA ANDREEVA: Well, I think I play Iga in the next round. Of course, it's going to be an entertaining match. It's never easy to play against a top player. I've played against her once in Cincinnati, and I think that was a good match, considering that it was the first time me playing against her.

I already know what to expect from her. I think she knows, of course, what to expect from me. I hope that we can put on a great level of game and we're going to see who will be stronger tomorrow.

Q. Back to the mixed doubles. Are you thinking of playing the tournament? If not Andy Murray, who do you consider partnering with?

MIRRA ANDREEVA: I don't think Andy's going to play (smiling).

Well, I don't know. I actually haven't really thought about it. But I think it could be really fun. I think to have an opportunity to play with an ATP player on the same side of the court is great.

Me, I don't really care with who to play, if I would play. But of course it would be one of my dreams to play with Andy. If I would ask him, he would say, Mirra, are you crazy, I'm not going to play. I don't think he wants to. I don't think he will even have time for it. But everything can happen, so...

Yeah, I don't know if I will play. If I would, I would definitely have a lot of fun.