Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Mirra Andreeva's catchphrase was written on the front and back of her black jacket
ByEmily SalleyBBC Sport journalist- Published47 minutes ago
"I want to thank myself."
That was the phrase emblazoned on Mirra Andreeva's jacket as she lifted her first Grand Slam trophy at the French Open.
After a dominant 6-3 6-2 victory over Polish qualifier Maja Chwalinska that made the 19-year-old the youngest woman to win the Roland Garros singles title since Monica Seles in 1992, Andreeva rattled off a lengthy list of thank yous.
She started by showing her gratitude to Chwalinska, before moving onto tournament organisers and her team - including her coach, former French Open finalist Conchita Martinez.
But Andreeva reserved the final - and most important - thanks for herself.
"I also want to thank myself for believing in myself," she said.
"For giving 100% even when it's been tough, trying every day to be better as a person and a player, believing I can do this, fighting so many demons inside of me.
"Only I know how tough it was for me and how nervous I was these past two weeks, so thanks to me for working so hard and giving my best."
Andreeva has thanked herself after many of her title triumphs - a twist on a quote she "stole" from rapper Snoop Dogg.
"In the beginning I just said it so everyone would laugh at how funny I am," Andreeva joked.
"Then after I realised: why not thank yourself? Because you are the one that works, you are the one doing the job, you're the one that's feeling all the nerves."
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How 'a big stop sign' helped overcome outbursts
A world number one in juniors, Andreeva has long been tipped for Grand Slam success.
However, she was sometimes hindered by emotional outbursts on court that took her focus away from the match in front of her.
Last year, Andreeva combusted in her Roland Garros quarter-final defeat by home hope Lois Boisson in front of a partisan crowd, while she smashed a racquet and swore at the crowd at Indian Wells just a few months ago.
That kind of behaviour has not been on show at this year's Roland Garros.
Even in the final, when Chwalinska's unpredictability coupled with the blustery conditions posed problems, Andreeva kept her composure to deliver a remarkably mature performance.
Another one of the teenager's thank-yous went to her psychologist, Alexis Castorri, who previously worked with Andy Murray. She said he had told her to "imagine a big stop sign" when her emotions threatened to come to the fore.
"My psychologist says you can always choose how you're going to be on the court, how you're going to play and who you're going to be as a person as well. I decided to choose to be a fighter," she said.
"I watched a lot of Roger [Federer's] matches here. No-one is going to have the same aura but I really want to try to impersonate the way he behaves on the court.
"Maybe that helped me because I wanted to look good on the court, not be frustrated or not happy with how I play."
'Very special' to share win with coach Conchita
Image source, Getty ImagesImage caption, Mirra Andreeva and Conchita Martinez started working together in 2024
The first person Andreeva turned to hug when she clambered up to the players' box after her victory on Court Philippe Chatrier was Martinez.
A Wimbledon winner in 1994, Martinez has overseen all five of her title triumphs on the WTA Tour since she joined her team in 2024.
So loyal is the teenager to Martinez that she jokingly aimed a dig at Mary Pierce - who beat the Spaniard in the 2000 Paris final - as she presented Andreeva with the trophy.
The pair have a real bond. Away from the practice courts and gym, there are pranks and endless games of Uno, while Andreeva cheered Martinez on during an invitational match at Wimbledon last year - equipped with a tennis-themed straw hat and a homemade 'Let's go Senorita' sign.
"We've been through so many good moments and some bad moments, especially at the end of last year," said Andreeva, who struggled for form after reaching the quarter-finals at SW19 last season.
"She told me she's very proud of me. To hear those words from her is very, very special to me."
'Excited but not satisfied' - what next for Andreeva?
The future looks bright for Andreeva, who is the first player born after 2005 to lift a Grand Slam trophy.
She has found her comfort zone on the clay this season, winning 22 of her 25 matches - more than any other player on the WTA Tour - on the surface.
Maria Sharapova, the last Russian woman to win a major singles title, said Andreeva is showing the "signs of a champion."
"Proud of you Mirra Andreeva. The celebration says it all. Excited, but not satisfied," Sharapova posted on Instagram.
Andreeva echoed Sharapova in her post-match news conference.
"I'm already thinking of how I'm going to prepare for the grass season and how I'm going to play," she added.
"I feel like this thing is a little bit addicting. I really want to do my best to experience all of this for the second time."
