Elena Dementieva not sure if Mirra Andreeva needs coach Conchita Martinez

Dementieva, who watched Andreeva's Australian Open match against Elina Svitolina, was unimpressed by the world No. 7's performance in Melbourne. Andreeva exited in the round of 16 after a 6-2, 6-4 defeat, with Svitolina dominating much of the contest. According to Dementieva, Andreeva struggled to impose herself and lacked aggression throughout the match.

The former French Open and US Open finalist believes Martinez may be passing on elements of her own playing style to Andreeva.

Martinez, a former Wimbledon champion and world No. 2, began coaching Andreeva in April 2024, shortly after the Russian turned 16. Since then, Andreeva has enjoyed a rapid rise, winning two WTA 1000 titles, reaching a French Open semi-final and climbing as high as world No. 5.

However, Dementieva questioned whether that success has come at a tactical cost. She suggested that Andreeva's more conservative approach, evident against Svitolina, could be linked to Martinez's guidance.

"You can probably see the influence of Conchita Martínez here, her coach, because I came up against her on tour myself - I played her, and even though I did win, I remember those matches as pure torture," Dementieva said on First&Red, via Russian publication Championat.

"It was an endless change of tempo, a constant change of rhythm. You're just starting to build your attack, and suddenly you're pushed back on your heels again.

"It goes on forever. On the left, a cutter; on the right, that loopy half-ball - cutter, loopy half-ball. It was simply very hard to endure. You get absolutely no enjoyment from the game.

"In her case, it was justified, because she was a very talented tennis player, a Wimbledon champion. But let's call things by their proper names: she was never a super athlete. She was never fast, never explosive. She created and played at the tempo that was comfortable for her.

"So my question is: why does Mirra need this?"

Now 18, Andreeva started the current season strongly by winning the WTA 500 tournament in Adelaide, but Dementieva noted that she has previously struggled to maintain consistency, particularly after back-to-back WTA 1000 titles in Dubai and Indian Wells last year.

Dementieva, who competed professionally from 1998 to 2010, implied that a more aggressive identity may be required if Andreeva is to fulfil her considerable potential at the top of the women's game. 

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