Dinara Safina is not impressed by some of the criticism directed at Mirra Andreeva as the former three-time Grand Slam champion says the current top-ranked Russian female tennis player is only 18 years old and still "learning to be an adult."
Andreeva has been off to an outstanding start to her career after winning two WTA 1000 titles and breaking into the top-10 as a 17-year-old girl. However, it is not a secret that the current world No. 5 is prone to becoming too emotional on the court and times and having outbursts. At the ongoing WTA 1000 tournament in Wuhan, the Russian was up by a set before suffering a shock 7-6 (4) 3-6 3-6 loss to world No. 62 Laura Siegemund in her opening match. During the match, the 18-year-old struggled to keep her emotions in check and even started to cry after a missed shot.
ADVERTISEMENT
Safina defends Andreeva: You're judging someone who is only learning to be an adult
Safina, who was also very young when she made multiple Grand Slam finals and reached the world No. 1 ranking, is urging the public to be "kinder" to the 18-year-old Russian teenage sensation.
"Since everyone's discussing Mirra and her behavior, I want to say this: judge not, lest you be judged. You're debating whether she acted rightly or wrongly... For me, it's more about this: Mirra, what exactly happened that made you struggle so much with your emotions? I'm genuinely curious. Because every one of us, even adults, sometimes fails to keep our emotions in check. We lash out, say things to each other, and later think, 'My God!' Yet you're judging someone who's only learning to be an adult. Let's be kinder to one another," Safina said.
ADVERTISEMENT
After arriving in Wuhan, Andreeva revealed that she has been talking more with her psychologist but also coach Conchita Martinez.
