Mirra Andreeva has etched her name into tennis history, and one of the sport's biggest stars was among the first to celebrate the moment. The 19-year-old Russian defeated Maja Chwalinska in the French Open final on Saturday to claim her first Grand Slam title. At 19 years and 39 days old, Andreeva became the third-youngest women's Grand Slam singles champion since 2000. The achievement drew praise from former World No. 1 Maria Sharapova, who intimately understands the feeling of winning a major title at a young age.
Sharapova's Heartfelt Tribute
Sharapova shared a photo with Andreeva on social media and praised both her victory and her composed reaction after match point. Instead of an exuberant celebration, Andreeva simply dropped to her knees and covered her face. "The celebration says it all," Sharapova wrote. "Excited, but not satisfied." Sharapova also expressed pride in Andreeva, calling her reaction "the sign of a champion." This praise carried extra weight because Sharapova herself became a global tennis sensation when she won Wimbledon at just 17 years old in 2004. She has closely followed Andreeva's rise and has spoken highly of her game for several years.
Sharapova's Early Prediction
Sharapova's support for Andreeva did not begin this week. Before the 2024 season, she predicted that the young Russian would have a breakthrough year. That prediction proved accurate when Andreeva reached the French Open semifinals as a 17-year-old. At the time, Sharapova remarked: "I think a strong attitude. She has the game to back it up, and I genuinely just like her approach and her sensibility in the game, and I think she has a bright future ahead of her." For Andreeva, the praise holds special significance because Sharapova was one of her childhood idols. Speaking after the final, the new French Open champion admitted she hoped the five-time Grand Slam winner was watching. "Obviously, I've been thinking to myself that if she's watching, it would be really nice to show good tennis, some good level," Andreeva said.
Support from Other Tennis Legends
Another former French Open champion, Svetlana Kuznetsova, also played a role before the match. According to Andreeva, Kuznetsova sent her a voice message filled with encouragement. "I also know that Svetlana Kuznetsova, she was also here," Andreeva said. "She sent me a little voice message before the match, like, trying to give me a lot of positive thoughts and a little bit of encouragement, like, 'Hey, be happy, it's your first Grand Slam final, how exciting, just enjoy this moment.'" Andreeva said she appreciated the support and hoped both former champions enjoyed watching the final. Several other tennis stars also congratulated her online, including Ons Jabeur, Victoria Azarenka, and former World No. 1 Ana Ivanovic, who praised both finalists for their performances during the tournament.
About the Author
Sehjal Gupta is a sports journalist covering US and international sports, with a specialization in the NFL. She has been writing about sports since 2025, reporting on leagues, tournaments, and athletes who shape the game. A Master's in Management adds depth to her analysis, while her love for Hollywood movies and pop culture sparks her storytelling voice, a flair that also shapes her entertainment writing, giving it the same energy and creativity she brings to sports.
