Russian ace hails coach Martinez for making her 'fearless'

Teenage talent Mirra Andreeva hailed her former Wimbledon champion coach Conchita Martinez for making her "fearless" Sunday after blasting into the Australian Open second round.

The 17-year-old Russian eased past the Czech Republic's Marie Bouzkova 6-3, 6-3, negotiating tricky conditions with rain in the middle of the match forcing the roof to be closed on John Cain Arena.

Martinez, who beat Martina Navratilova to win the 1994 final at the All England Club, hooked up with Andreeva last year and they hit it off immediately.

"With her, I kind of became closer to fearless," said 14th seed Andreeva, who reached the semifinals of the French Open in 2024.

"For example, before I would never go to play a volley on match point. Here, I decided, 'Why not?'"

She also praised Martinez — who previously coached Garbine Muguruza and Karolina Pliskova — for her sense of humor, saying they had similar personalities.

"I really like our relationship, because, well, I like to joke around," she said. "Sometimes I just, you know, I don't like to be very serious. I always try to smile and laugh. It's just easier like this.

"Actually I was surprised in the beginning that she's also pretty much like me.

"And since we first started working together, I have noticed that she's always also trying to tell a joke or just laugh sometimes."

Andreeva served notice of her precocious talent when she reached the last 16 of Wimbledon in 2023 and then again at the Australian Open in 2024. She eclipsed that under Martinez by reaching the semifinals at Roland Garros.

AFP