“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.”
