Mirra Andreeva may be the player collecting the trophies, but former Russian tennis professional Natalia Vikhlyantseva believes much of the teenager’s success can be traced to the people working behind the scenes.
At just 19, Andreeva has reached world No. 3, won her first Grand Slam title at Roland-Garros and qualified for the WTA Finals for the first time. According to Vikhlyantseva, those achievements reflect more than exceptional talent.
Speaking to Russian publication Championat, she emphasized the importance of the experienced team surrounding Andreeva and the carefully structured preparation that has accompanied her development.
Who Is Natalia Vikhlyantseva?
Vikhlyantseva, 29, is a former Russian professional tennis player who reached a career-high singles ranking of world No. 54 in 2017.
She reached the final of the 2017 Rosmalen Grass Court Championships in the Netherlands and competed in the main draws of all four Grand Slam tournaments.
Her experience on the WTA Tour provides valuable context for her assessment of Andreeva’s rapid progress.
Conchita Martínez and the Team Behind Andreeva
Vikhlyantseva highlighted the influence of Spanish coach Conchita Martínez, the 1994 Wimbledon champion, whose experience has become an important part of Andreeva’s development.
She also identified Russian player Alexey Vatutin, who works as Andreeva’s hitting partner, as another valuable member of the setup.
According to Vikhlyantseva, the team’s approach extends beyond simply hitting balls on the practice court.
Physical conditioning, tactical preparation and technical development are all organized around specific objectives.
Equally important is the atmosphere within the group.
Vikhlyantseva believes communication, mutual understanding and a calm working environment help create the consistency Mirra Andreeva needs.
Andreeva’s Talent Alone Does Not Explain the Results
Andreeva’s breakthrough has attracted considerable attention because of her age, particularly after her Roland-Garros triumph.
But Vikhlyantseva’s assessment offers another perspective.
Rather than focusing exclusively on Andreeva’s natural ability, she points to the professional structure that has supported her from an unusually young age.
With the WTA Finals now approaching, Andreeva faces another new test against the world’s leading players.
For Vikhlyantseva, however, the teenager’s qualification already demonstrates the value of having the right people around her.
Source: Championat — Natalia Vikhlyantseva on Mirra Andreeva, November 2026.