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The 19-year-old Mirra Andreeva defeated qualifier Maja Chwalinska 6-3, 6-2 in 1 hour and 22 minutes on Court Philippe-Chatrier on Saturday to win her first Roland Garros (French Open) women's singles title, becoming the youngest champion in Paris since Monica Seles in 1992.
In only her fourth Roland-Garros appearance, Andreeva defeated qualifier Maja Chwalinska 6-3, 6-2, becoming the youngest women's singles champion in Paris since Monica Seles won her third consecutive title in 1992 at age 18. Andreeva first made her mark at a Grand Slam by qualifying for her maiden major main draw at Roland-Garros in 2023 and reached the semifinals in 2024, signalling her arrival on the global stage. Guided by former world No.2 and 2000 Roland-Garros runner-up Conchita Martinez, Andreeva has now surpassed her coach by claiming the Coupe Suzanne-Lenglen. Shortly after falling to her knees as champion and running up to the stands to hug her team, Andreeva put on a custom black jacket emblazoned with her signature post-win catchphrase: "I would like to thank myself," as quoted by the Roland Garros website. "It's very special for me. I've been watching Roland-Garros on TV since I was very young," Andreeva said. "It's been a big dream of mine, and I can't believe I'm holding this trophy right now." "I also want to thank myself for believing in myself, always giving 100 per cent, even when it's tough, trying every day to be better as a player and a person, believing, fighting so many demons inside of me. Only I know how tough it was for me and how nervous I was throughout these two weeks. Also, thanks to myself for working so hard and giving my best," she added. The French Open tournament will conclude on Sunday when Alexander Zverev faces Flavio Cobolli in the men's singles final. (ANI)
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