Serena Williams' childhood coach Rick Macci thinks Mirra Andreeva has "a unique and rare upside" and therefore has no doubt that the Russian is primed for multiple Grand Slam wins and major things in the game.
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On Sunday, the 17-year-old lifted her second WTA 1000 title after beating world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka 2-6 6-4 6-3 in the Indian Wells final. Before an impressive comeback win against the Belarusian, the new world No. 6 also beat Elena Rybakina and Iga Swiatek earlier in the tournament.
In Dubai a couple of weeks ago, Andreeva was also lights out as her run to the title in the United Arab Emirates also included wins over the Kazakh and the Pole. So during her ongoing 12-match winning streak, she has twice beaten Rybakina and Swiatek, as well as once Sabalenka.
"Mirra has UNIQUE RARE AIR upside and more than any player I have seen on the WTA TOUR in a long time. She is the most complete player inside/ out with no liabilities just major league assets. Russian Rabbit is locked loaded and ready to launch to multiple Grand Slams," Macci, who famously coached the Williams sisters during their childhood, wrote on X.
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Macci: Andreeva showed a trait that separates great from good
Things didn't go well early in the final against Sabalenka. And while many would probably have their confidence shaken or even think that there was no coming back in those circumstances against the top-ranked player in the game, the 17-year-old Russian found a way to get herself out of a very tough situation and ultimately end on the winning side.
"The mental strength of Andreeva not to say NIGHT NIGHT and disappear in the desert after tough breaks and lucky shots in set speaks volumes. This is everything and more. How you handle frustration anger and failure dictates success and separates Great from Good," Macci noted.
Andreeva - who turns 18 next month - is now the youngest Indian Wells winner since Williams in 1999.
