Mirra Andreeva’s meteoric rise since 2023 has placed her firmly among tennis’s most promising young stars. But with her talent has come a reputation for on-court outbursts—and at the 2025 Italian Open, her emotions once again stole the spotlight.
Facing American star Coco Gauff in a high-stakes quarterfinal clash, Andreeva struggled to keep her cool during a tense second-set tiebreak. After losing a crucial point, she slammed a ball against the wall in frustration. Moments later, a tossed return shot inadvertently struck a ball kid, sparking a flood of criticism on social media.
Though the ball kid signaled he was unharmed, many fans were quick to draw comparisons to Novak Djokovic’s infamous 2020 US Open disqualification after a similar incident. “Kick her out. They kicked out Novak. She is a diva,” one fan raged online. Another commented, “She could have been disqualified.”
Gauff Cruises, Andreeva Crumbles
Gauff remained unfazed throughout, defeating Andreeva 6-4, 7-6 (7-5) to book her place in the Italian Open semifinals for a third straight year. Her mix of aggressive baseline play and calm composure forced Andreeva into riskier decisions. The second-set tiebreak showcased the Russian’s brilliance—highlighted by a crafty drop shot to level at 5-5—but Gauff’s poise ultimately closed the door.
Still, it was Andreeva’s behavior, not her gameplay, that kept fans talking.
This isn’t her first run-in with controversy. During her third-round match against Gauff at the 2023 French Open, she hit a ball into the crowd in frustration. She later called it “a really stupid move,” admitting she was lucky not to be defaulted. Andreeva has since begun working with a sports psychologist, saying earlier this year, “I have some new advice on how to work with my anger.”
A History of Flare-Ups
Despite those efforts, Andreeva’s reputation for emotional outbursts persists. She was issued a code violation for racket abuse earlier in the 2025 Italian Open during her match against Clara Tauson, and even argued heatedly with the chair umpire over a hindrance call.
Still, not everyone was quick to condemn her. Some defended the teenager, arguing the ball kid incident was a harmless accident. “She was simply hitting the ball back over and the ball boy ran in front of the ball,” one fan reasoned. Another pointed out a perceived double standard: “If that was Iga [Swiatek], it would’ve been all over the news by now.”
In fact, Swiatek herself dealt with similar scrutiny earlier this season after hitting a ball near a ball kid in frustration at Indian Wells. She later apologized and emphasized it was never intentional, stating, “We made eye contact and nodded when I expressed regret.”
Andreeva’s Passion: Strength or Weakness?
Andreeva’s emotional intensity has divided opinion in the tennis world. Some see it as a liability that could derail her progress. Others view it as part of her competitive edge. Despite this latest setback, the 18-year-old has proven her potential with recent WTA 1000 victories in Dubai and Indian Wells, defeating big names like Iga Swiatek, Aryna Sabalenka, and Elena Rybakina along the way.
Her loss to Gauff—her fourth in as many meetings—underscores the American’s dominance in their budding rivalry. But with Roland Garros approaching, Andreeva has an opportunity to reset, refocus, and perhaps, redeem.
One fan summed it up best: “Okay that’s a legit accident on hitting the kid. And glad she hit it at the wall and not to the crowd. I do not play when it comes to those little missiles!”
Whether her fiery passion becomes a championship asset or an Achilles’ heel remains to be seen. One thing’s certain: Mirra Andreeva will continue to be one of tennis’s most talked-about talents.