Mirra Andreeva confirmed at Roland Garros the progression she had been showing throughout the season and became, at the age of 19, champion of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time in her career. The Russian tennis player defeated the Polish Maja Chwalinska 6-3 and 6-2 in a final that was resolved in one hour and 22 minutes on the Philippe-Chatrier court in Paris.

The victory crowned an outstanding campaign for the Siberian-born player, current world number eight, who has accumulated 36 victories in the season and 23 on clay, a surface on which she only suffered three defeats. With this result, it will also move closer to the group of the five best in the world ranking.

Andreeva became the first Russian to win Roland Garros since Maria Sharapova in 2014. She also became the youngest champion of the Parisian tournament since Monica Seles, who won her third consecutive title in 1992.

The final ended the surprising journey of Chwalinska, a player ranked 114th in the world ranking who reached the main draw from the qualifying phase. The Pole had eliminated several favorites and became the first tennis player from the classification to reach a Roland Garros final.

A season that ended in Paris

The outcome of the tournament reflected the consistency that Andreeva had shown over the past few months. Before lifting the trophy in France, the Russian won the Linz tournament, reached the final in Madrid, the semifinals in Stuttgart and the quarterfinals in Rome.

On the Parisian court, her powerful forehand marked the difference against a rival who had captivated the public with an offensive and unconventional style. During the first games, both showed difficulties in holding serve, although the match changed course from the seventh game of the first set.

From that moment, Andreeva chained a dominant series of nine consecutive games that left Chwalinska with no room to react. The Pole managed to recover two games when the disadvantage was already considerable, but the Russian maintained control until closing the match and securing the title.

The victory had an obvious emotional burden for the new champion. After the last point he fell to his knees on the clay and remained for several seconds processing what he had achieved.

"I've done a lot of visualizations before. Not just about this tournament, but I've had dreams, I've thought a lot about how it's going to happen, if it's going to happen, when it's going to happen, where," he declared. “The feeling in real life is much better than in your dreams.”

Recognitions, emotions and a historical rival

During the award ceremony, Andreeva dedicated words to several of the people who accompany her in her professional development, including her coach, the Spanish Conchita Martínez, Wimbledon champion and Roland Garros finalist in 2000.

“I know that sometimes I can be a difficult person and that it is quite difficult to put up with me,” acknowledged the Russian.

Martínez also referred to the personality of his pupil. "Her attitude is difficult. You tell her something and she may not be willing to listen... When she works hard, listens and tries her best, she has no limits."

Andreeva also thanked her psychologist and herself for the effort made to achieve the goal. "Only I know how difficult it was for me. How nervous I was during these two weeks," she said.

On the other side of the net was a Chwalinska who sought to complete one of the biggest surprises in the history of the tournament. The Pole, who has spoken openly about the depression problems she faced since 2019, congratulated her rival with a phrase that caused smiles among those in attendance.

"You're so young and talented. It's so annoying," he told her.

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