The 17-year-old grand slam semi-finalist on shedding tears, learning on the job and annoying Conchita Martínez
In the final weeks of her first season competing at the highest level of professional tennis, the best teenage player in the world found herself on the brink of a perfect ending. Facing off against her good friend and compatriot Daria Kasatkina in the Chinese city of Ningbo, Mirra Andreeva battled hard with hopes of winning the biggest title of her career. For a while, she had positioned herself well for victory, but she instead fell in three excruciating sets.
By the time the trophy ceremony had begun, tears of frustration were rolling down Andreeva’s face. Despite Kasatkina’s admirable attempts to console her younger friend and the sweet sportsmanship they shared, the 17-year-old struggled to accept the defeat. She was inconsolable throughout both speeches and back into the locker room.
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