After winning two WTA 1000 events in Dubai and Indian Wells and consecutively defeating the world`s top two players within a month, it`s understandable that Mirra Andreeva has high aspirations for the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix.
The tournament winner will receive 500 WTA ranking points, over 142,000 Euros, and a Porsche Macan Turbo, displayed courtside in Stuttgart.
“The view from center court is amazing,” Andreeva, ranked No. 7 globally, commented on Monday. “I`ve already considered which car I’d like. But we aren`t there yet. I`m just looking around. I don’t even have my driver’s license yet.”
At 17, Andreeva is the youngest among the top 100 WTA players and the highest-ranked teenager. She will turn 18 in late April in Madrid, the city where she first gained prominence two years ago. As one of six Top 10 players participating in this prestigious tournament, she faces a challenging path.
Her first challenge could be on Wednesday in the first round against an opponent she has never defeated: her sister, Erika.
In a surprising turn, Erika entered the main draw against her sister after losing her second qualifying match to Aliaksandra Sasnovich. She became a lucky loser when Marta Kostyuk withdrew due to injury. Kostyuk had previously replaced Paula Badosa, who withdrew due to a back issue.
Erika, 20 and ranked No. 97, is three years older than Mirra.
When Mirra spoke to the media on Monday, the sister matchup was still possible but not confirmed.
“I know there`s a chance I might play my sister again,” she stated. “But we`ll approach it professionally as we have no choice. If it happens, we’ll compete as in any other match.
“We will face each other, and if it occurs, it will likely be a great and entertaining match.”
The Andreeva sisters have only played once before on the WTA Tour, with Erika winning 6-3, 6-1 in Wuhan last fall. Mirra initially led 3-1 but then lost nine consecutive games and 11 of the subsequent 12.
It was reminiscent of early matches between Venus and Serena Williams, where both sisters seemed conflicted.
“It was challenging for both of us,” Erika recalled after their match. “It was our first experience, and we were both glad it happened at a major tournament. But I`m not sure we enjoyed it.”
Despite not practicing together in over five years, Erika is very familiar with her sister’s all-around game.
“It’s true because we played a lot in childhood,” Erika explained. “I know her likely moves, and she knows mine. Sometimes during a rally, I`d think, `Normally I`d go here, but she knows I know that,` and I`d change my decision.”
Erika, also a lucky loser that week in Wuhan, eventually lost to Jasmine Paolini in the Round of 16.
At the 2024 US Open, the sisters discussed their sibling rivalry. Growing up, Erika typically prevailed.
“But honestly, Mirra was very young,” Erika clarified last year. “The times we played were long ago. Age difference matters more when you are that young.”
When asked when Mirra started defeating her older sister, Mirra laughed and responded, “I actually haven’t. We practiced a lot when we were younger, and she would always beat me like 6-1 or 6-2. Maybe 6-3 if I played well or she had an off day.”
Mirra is now a Top 10 player, while Erika is in the Top 100 and making her own mark. This tournament marks their first time playing in Stuttgart.
On Monday, Mirra attributed her recent success to finding balance.
“I just try to enjoy every moment on court, have fun, but also take it seriously,” she explained. “I think recently I’ve found a balance to avoid being too down or worried on court, and to sometimes relax and let things go. Finding this balance has helped me a lot in recent months.”
Mirra – and Erika – will need to maintain this balance when they become opponents this Wednesday.
