"I look at videos where I'm crying, I just laugh" - Mirra Andreeva gets honest about learning from the past

Mirra Andreeva’s rapid rise over the last couple of years has made opponents sit up and take notice. It, however, has not always been smooth sailing for the teen sensation.

The 17-year-old has been candid about being an emotional person both on and off-court and incidents of the occasional outburst would still be fresh in the memory of many tennis fans.

For Andreeva though, there has been marked progress in that department. Speaking to The Guardian in a recent interview, she opened up about learning to deal with her emotions and the process of maturing.

Taking note of the aforementioned emotional outbursts, Andreeva said that her old videos of her crying on court now make her laugh instead. Being able to hold her emotions in is something, she said, she has begun to learn with experience.

“It’s a learning experience, as well,” Mirra Andreeva said. “I just have to accept it. Now when I look at those videos when I’m crying, I just laugh at myself because I couldn’t hold it inside. It’s again an experience that had to be there in my career.”

The youngster made another honest admission of coming across as a negative person, saying her behavior as recently as last year would present that outlook. She added she and her team have made the conscious effort of moving away from the mental space and working on inculcating a more positive mindset on court.

“I think I’m known [as] the person who would think negative most of the time,” Mirra Andreeva said. “Even last year in the beginning of the year.”

“Now I’m noticing that it was not right, the way I was thinking, the way I was approaching the matches, what kind of thoughts I have during the match as well.” she added.

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"Definitely brought some positivity" - Mirra Andreeva credits coach Conchita Martinez for changed mindset

Mirra Andreeva at the 2025 Brisbane International. (Source: Getty)

Mirra Andreeva began working with former World No. 2 Conchita Martinez last year and has credited her coach with changing her mindset. The youngster noted that the Spaniard has brought positivity to her game.

Addressing the small changes she has experienced on court, Andreeva said a missed shot now no longer bothers her as much as it would a year or two ago.

“When we started working together, she definitely brought some positivity,” Mirra Andreeva said. “Now when I miss, for example one year ago: [I would say]: ‘Oh, my God, I cannot play tennis, why am I doing this?’”

“If I compare myself to this day, I would say: ‘Well, it’s OK. It was a good miss. We just keep working.’ This is the difference,” she added.

On the professional front, Andeeva made a solid start to the 2025 season by reaching the Brisbane International semifinals before losing to Aryna Sabalenka. She will next compete at the Australian Open.