Mirra Andreeva is off to a fantastic start in her 2026 tennis season, showcasing her skills at the Brisbane International and continuing her momentum at the Adelaide International. After making her debut as the third seed in Adelaide, Andreeva breezed through the round of 16 by defeating Marie Bouzkova with a decisive score of 6-3, 6-1, propelling her into the quarterfinals.
In a delightful moment following her match, Andreeva shared a light-hearted exchange about her coach, Conchita Martínez. During an on-court interview, she humorously pointed out a “bad decision” by her coach that led to her not appearing in earlier matches at the tournament. When asked why she delayed her participation, Andreeva quipped, “Well, honestly, it’s my coach making bad decisions. She didn’t even listen, it’s okay.” In a follow-up, she jokingly added about Martínez, “Not really,” regarding whether the coach listens to her suggestions, emphasizing, “But it’s okay, because this time I made the decision to come and I think it was a pretty good one, so thanks to me.”
Andreeva has shown remarkable consistency against Bouzkova, having won both of their previous encounters last season at the Australian Open and the Mutua Madrid Open. This victory in Adelaide continues her upward trajectory, following a strong performance earlier in Brisbane.
Martínez, a former World No. 1 and a tennis legend in her right, began coaching Andreeva in 2024. Under her guidance, Andreeva has not only climbed the WTA rankings but has also developed a rapport with her coach that includes moments of playful banter. Martínez’s illustrious career includes 33 singles titles, a Wimbledon championship, three Olympic medals, and recognition as WTA Coach of the Year in 2021 for her work with Garbiñe Muguruza.
As Andreeva moves forward in the tournament, her strong performances and amusing interactions highlight her potential on the court, bringing a refreshing dynamic to the sport. Fans can look forward to her continued progress in the upcoming matches as she competes for titles in the Australian summer circuit.