Mirra Andreeva has shared her true feelings about her coach, former Wimbledon champion Conchita Martinez, after Martinez’s coaching style faced criticism following remarks by Jessica Pegula. Martinez has guided the Russian teenager to six titles, including a victory at Roland Garros, since their partnership began in April 2024.
Coaching Style and Praise from Andreeva
Martinez’s approach came under scrutiny earlier this year when a live stream of Pegula’s practice session was overheard and subsequently deleted by the WTA. During the session, Pegula referred to Andreeva as a “diva” in a conversation with her coach Mark Knowles and stated she had lost respect for Martinez for failing to check the teenager’s behavior. Both players have since made light of the incident to show there is no lingering animosity.
Speaking to WTA media ahead of her opening match at the WTA Finals, Andreeva offered high praise for Martinez, attributing much of her recent progress to the coach’s relentless work ethic. “That’s actually how you define Conchita, work and work, that’s all she does,” Andreeva said, as reported by sports.yahoo.com. “I think she’s a great person and a great coach as well. I think that’s also why I’m able to progress and play better.”
Andreeva added that Martinez continually helps her develop new shots and improves her game across various aspects on and off the court. Martinez reached the WTA Finals 12 consecutive times during her own playing career, and she has now successfully coached Andreeva to a debut appearance at the prestigious tournament.
WTA Finals Draw and Head-to-Head Records
After narrowly missing out on the singles event last year, the 19-year-old secured her spot for this year’s tournament. She is joined in the field by Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff, Pegula, Elina Svitolina, Karolina Muchova, Linda Noskova, and alternate Marta Kostyuk, who stepped in after world number one Elena Rybakina withdrew due to illness.
Andreeva holds a winning record against Muchova (1-0) and Noskova (4-2), but trails in her head-to-head records against Sabalenka (4-2), Kostyuk (3-1), and Gauff (6-0). She has not yet faced Pegula in singles competition. Andreeva and Gauff are placed in opposite groups, meaning they cannot meet until the latter stages of the competition.
Andreeva is placed in Group 2 alongside Sabalenka, Svitolina, and Muchova. She is scheduled to make her singles debut at the WTA Finals on Monday, November 9, against Svitolina, against whom she holds an even 1-1 head-to-head record.
