A new rivalry in women’s tennis

The young Russian player, Mirra Andreeva, has taken her maiden Grand Slam title at just 19, having powered past the Polish world number 113, Maja Chwalinska, 6-3, 6-2 at this year’s French Open final.

The first few games were close, and at 3-3 in the first set, it seemed that Chwalinska might just have a chance. She was alternating high looping balls with heavy slices and dropshots to good effect in the swirling wind. Her variety, touch, and courtcraft were mesmerising. She is, after all, a keen chess player. Could she be the first qualifier to win at Roland Garros?

Andreeva, however, finally found her range and, despite a brief wobble at 5-0 up in the second set, served it out at 5-2.  Andreeva’s superior power and height finally told as her increasing confidence allowed her to hit through her comparatively diminutive opponent.

Chwalinska’s progress throughout the tournament has been astonishing. As a qualifier, she had ground out ten consecutive match wins, which was no doubt both physically and emotionally draining, evident from the heavy strapping on both thighs throughout the tournament.

Maja Chwalińska

From ten demoralising years playing through the lower tier events, she had earned around $865,000, out of which she’s had to fund flights, hotels and coaching. By the semi-finals in Paris, she’d run out of money to pay her Paris hotel bill. It needed Oshee, a Polish drinks company, to come up with financial backing. As a finalist, she leaves with $1.64 million and has shot up to number 21 in the rankings, which guarantees her direct entry into major tournaments for the foreseeable future.  She will also be in line for several lucrative sponsorships. How her world has changed in just a fortnight.

The winner, Mirra Andreeva, had earned some $9.5 million and today added the winner’s prize cheque of $3.3 million. That doesn’t include sponsorship contracts from the likes of Nike, Wilson and Rolex, which probably far outweigh on-court earnings.

Her stated ambition when she was just 15 yrs old was to win 25 Slams. That seemed a little far-fetched at the time, but seeing Andreeva now, that doesn’t seem an impossibility. She’s been helped enormously by her Spanish coach, the former Slam champion, Conchita Martinez. She’s also been lifting weights, which has no doubt been responsible for her improved power.

Aryna Sabalenka

It will be intriguing to see how the young Russian player adapts to the Wimbledon grass courts. The current world number one, Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus, has been the dominant player over the past couple of years, but this could now develop into an exciting new rivalry between the two women. Politics aside, a battle for supremacy between Sabalenka and Andreeva can only be good for the women’s game.

A Message from TheArticle

We are the only publication that’s committed to covering every angle. We have an important contribution to make, one that’s needed now more than ever, and we need your help to continue publishing throughout these hard economic times. So please, make a donation.