Mirra Andreeva’s rapid rise on the WTA Tour continued earlier in 2026 when the teenage sensation clinched her fourth career title at the Adelaide International, defeating Victoria Mboko in the final. Yet, her momentum heading into the Australian Open hit an unexpected roadblock after a fourth-round exit against Elina Svitolina, who beat the eighth seed 6-2, 6-4.

Two-time Grand Slam champion and former world No. 1 Yevgeny Kafelnikov did not hold back while assessing the defeat. “Andreeva needs to change significantly if she wants to reach the top of this sport. Honestly, I wish I hadn't seen that match between Andreeva and Svitolina because it really revealed a large number of deficiencies in Mirra's game,” he stated on the First & Red channel.

He doubled down further, adding, “Honestly, for the way she is playing right now, she has no prospects of becoming world number one or having a chance to win a Grand Slam.” Despite his harsh verdict, Kafelnikov insisted his criticism came from hope that she could eventually end Russia’s long Grand Slam drought since Maria Sharapova’s 2014 Roland Garros triumph, stressing that “something has to change.”

As if his assessment was not sharp enough, the former world No. 1 also compared Andreeva with another rising star from the Australian Open. Kafelnikov pointed to American teenager Iva Jovic - already an Australian Open quarterfinalist and inside the world’s top 20 - as having significantly greater upside.

"I just took a look: Jovic is a young American. If you compare them, they are the same age. Who do I prefer? Jovic's potential is ten times greater than Andreeva's. We have to be objective.”

He was blunt in the comparison, claiming that if both players are judged purely on potential, Jovic’s ceiling eclipses that of his compatriot. The remark highlighted his frustration with Andreeva’s current level following a performance he believes exposed technical shortcomings in her game.

For now, Mirra Andreeva has not competed since her Melbourne defeat, but her return is imminent. The world No. 7 is expected to resume her season at the Qatar Open in Doha, where she will be the fifth seed with an opening-round bye due to the absence of Aryna Sabalenka and Jessica Pegula.

Beyond Doha, the 18-year-old faces a significant stretch as she prepares to defend major ranking points from her breakthrough run that included titles in Dubai and Indian Wells.

It’ll be interesting to see how well Mirra Andreeva manages to make a comeback in 2026. But while Kafelnikov’s comments paint a grim outlook, let’s have a look at what other tennis experts have to say about the 18-year-old Russian tennis sensation.

Serena Williams’ ex-coach disagrees with Yevgeny Kafelnikov on Mirra Andreeva

Mirra Andreeva’s early exit at the 2026 Australian Open has sparked intense debate within the tennis world, with contrasting opinions emerging from some of the sport’s most respected voices. While former world No. 1 Yevgeny Kafelnikov questioned the Russian teenager’s Grand Slam prospects, other leading coaches believe her ceiling remains exceptionally high.

Interestingly, Kafelnikov’s criticism partly echoes concerns raised by Serena Williams’ former coach Brad Gilbert, who analyzed Andreeva’s performance following her loss to Elina Svitolina. In a video shared on X, Gilbert pointed specifically to her forehand - or the “fearhand,” as he calls it - as a technical weakness that has surfaced in several defeats.

“I think after last year’s back-to-back 1000 titles, everyone thought she was going to be ascending to the number one spot potentially. The ‘fearhand’ to me is a major issue in a lot of her losses lately. It’s kind of spinny, makes a lot of errors, and she really can’t do anything aggressive, and I think a lot of the players now know that.”

The critique came despite Mirra Andreeva arriving in Melbourne with momentum after winning her fourth WTA Tour singles title at the Adelaide International. However, the 18-year-old failed to progress beyond the fourth round for the second consecutive year, raising fresh questions about her readiness to contend consistently at the majors. 

Yet, another prominent voice from Serena Williams’ former coaching circle has pushed back strongly against the bleak outlook. Rick Macci, who previously worked with the Williams sisters as well as Andy Roddick and Maria Sharapova, openly disagreed with Kafelnikov’s suggestion that Andreeva lacks the tools to win a Slam. Responding on X, Macci wrote:

“Asked what I thought of Kafelnikov saying Andreeva will never win a Grand Slam as she has too many holes in her game. He is right and wrong. She will win more than one for sure. The only real rabbit hole in her game is her age. The Russian Rabbit is for real as she has power and feel.”

Macci’s endorsement offers a sharply different perspective, framing Mirra Andreeva’s inconsistencies as a natural byproduct of youth rather than a structural limitation in her game. With multiple WTA titles already to her name and elite-level wins on her résumé, the teenager’s development curve remains one of the most closely watched storylines on the tour. How many more titles do you think Mirra Andreeva can win this year?

Written by

Sayantan Roy

Sayantan Roy is a seasoned tennis journalist at EssentiallyTennis. He brings a deep tactical understanding to his coverage, breaking down head-to-head records, match dynamics, and on-court strategies with precision. For more than two years, Sayantan has been a key member of the Live Events desk, delivering real-time insights and data-backed predictions for the platform’s Matchday Preview section. His analytical approach has sparked editorial debates and drawn recognition from respected tennis voices, including commentator and analyst Olly_Tennis. Combining his experience in writing with a passion for insightful sports journalism, Sayantan’s work serves as a trusted reference point for tennis fans around the world.

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