Can Mirra Andreeva replicate compatriot Maria Sharapova's heroics of winning Wimbledon at just 17 years old?

Mirra Andreeva has an incredible opportunity to become the first teenager since her compatriot and tennis legend Maria Sharapova to win the Wimbledon Championships. Sharapova emerged victorious at the grass Slam when she was just 17 years old.

Mirra Andreeva has taken the tennis world by storm since her fourth-round run at the Madrid Open in 2023 when she was just 15. She has only improved in her young career and recently concluded a successful campaign at the French Open.

After reaching her first-ever WTA 1000 quarterfinals at the 2024 Madrid Open, Andreeva stunned the tennis world and progressed to the semifinals of the French Open for the first time in her career. While she came up short against Jasmine Paolini in the last four, Mirra Andreeva surged in the WTA rankings.

She would be hoping to continue her form at her next stop, the 2024 Wimbledon Championships. The Russian has fond memories at SW19 after she reached her maiden fourth round at a Major in London last year. As a qualifier, Andreeva defeated Wang Xiyu, No. 10 seed Barbora Krejcikova (walkover), and No. 22 seed Anastasia Potapova before losing to No. 25 seed Madison Keys.

This year, she is one of the bookies' favorites to win the title at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club. If she manages to pull off a title run at the Wimbledon Championships, Andreeva would become the first teenager since Maria Sharapova to win the grass Slam. In fact, Andreeva would be the exact same age as Sharapova when she won her Wimbledon title in 2004, i.e., 17 years, two months, 14 days.

While it is a dream storyline for Mirra Andreeva, in reality, it is a bit far-fetched for the young Russian to succeed at a Grand Slam. There are many positives going for Andreeva as she heads into Wimbledon. She has shown great skills on the court and managed expectations and pressure quite well, which is remarkable for a player her age. It is also no secret that she has gotten the hang of grass court tennis and possesses the ability to trouble top players on the surface.

However, there are just too many players, like Aryna Sabalenka, Ons Jabeur, and Elena Rybakina, above her in the pecking order who are more likely to emerge triumphant in London. If not triumphant, many players have arrived to stake a claim for a deep run at SW19. Moreover, her draw at this year's tournament does not do her any favors.

Mirra Andreeva is seeded No. 24 and will face another young talent, Brenda Fruhvirtova, in the first round. She is projected to face former Wimbledon quarterfinalist Karolina Muchova or former World No. 2 Paula Badosa in the second round, No. 14 seed and recently crowned Rothesay International (Eastbourne) champion Daria Kasatkina in the third round, No. 3 seed and former semifinalist Aryna Sabalenka in the fourth round, No. 7 seed Jasmine Paolini in the quarterfinals, No. 2 seed Coco Gauff in the semifinals, and top seed Iga Swiatek in the title contest.

Looking at the odds stacked against her at the 2024 Wimbledon Championships, it is nearly impossible for Mirra Andreeva to repeat Maria Sharapova's heroics. But that should not stop her from making another deep run at the grass Slam and continuing her solid progression on the WTA Tour.

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Maria Sharapova defeated Serena Williams to win the Wimbledon Championships in 2004

Maria Sharapova and Serena Williams (Image via Getty)

Maria Sharapova has a rich history at the Wimbledon Championships. She reached the fourth round in her maiden campaign at the tournament in 2003 when she was 16. The former World No. 1 received a main draw wildcard in 2003 and defeated the likes of No. 11 seed Jelena Dokic and No. 21 seed Elena Bovina.

A year later, Maria Sharapova not only bettered her record at the grass Major but also went all the way to triumph in the tournament, her maiden Grand Slam title. The Russian was seeded No. 13 and began her campaign with a swift win over Ukrainian qualifier Yuliya Beygelzimer.

Maria Sharapova's form only got better as she bettered British wildcard Anne Keothavong, Daniela Hantuchova, and No. 31 seed Amy Frazier to reach the quarterfinals. The Russian's campaign got much trickier but she persevered against No. 11 seed Ai Sugiyama in the quarterfinals, No. 5 seed Lindsay Davenport in the semis, and top seed and defending champion Serena Williams in the final.