Andreeva cruises to Top 20, sets sights on both tennis glory and a new pet

Mirra Andreeva has made a significant breakthrough by entering the top 20 of the WTA rankings. The Russian teenager achieved this milestone after a convincing victory over Magda Linette, marking her impressive run of 12 wins in her last 14 matches. Alongside her sporting success, Andreeva is also motivated by the anticipation of getting a dog as a pet, adding a personal touch to her achievements.

In the quarterfinals, Mirra Andreeva will take on 5th seed and local favorite Zheng Qinwen, both of whom are fueled by inspiration as the season winds down. Andreeva, who aimed to break into the top 20 at the start of the year, is especially motivated by her goal of getting a dog once she achieves this milestone.

Andreeva has often expressed her love for dogs, despite never having owned one. In a recent episode of Daria Kasatkina’s YouTube channel, What the Vlog, she reflected on her near miss earlier in the season: “If I get into the top 20 by the end of the year, I get a dog. I was twenty-first, but Vika Azarenka was 20th.” Her determination to reach this goal is intertwined with her passion for pets.

Andreeva also discussed her coach, Conchita Martínez, sharing a light-hearted moment about their connection. She joked, “We have such a connection. She even brought a dog. That’s the only reason I practice with her—because she has a dog,” laughing alongside Daria Kasatkina. This playful remark highlights both her love for dogs and the strong bond she shares with her coach.

After her impressive 6-1, 6-3 win over Magda Linette on Center Court in Beijing, Mirra Andreeva reached a career-high ranking of world No. 19. If she beats Zheng Qinwen, she could rise to No. 17. Reflecting on the match, Andreeva admitted, “I didn’t think about it, but when the score was 6-1, 3-1, I remembered. Then I got tight and lost my serve. Those thoughts almost destroyed me in the match. In the end, I managed to focus on my game, but I was this close to losing it.”