Spin, Height, and Control: The Keys to Mirra Andreeva’s Success

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Andreeva’s Game-Changing Strategy: The Power of Spin and Ball Height

At just 17, Mirra Andreeva is already proving to be one of the most intelligent and disruptive players on the WTA Tour. Her recent WTA 1000 title in Dubai—where she defeated world No. 2 Iga Swiatek and world No. 7 Elena Rybakina—showcased a playing style that is built on variety, precision, and tactical mastery.
Instead of relying solely on power, Andreeva excels at controlling the rhythm of rallies through spin and ball height, making it difficult for opponents to find a comfortable hitting zone.
Here’s how she does it.

Using High Topspin to Push Opponents Back

One of Andreeva’s most effective weapons is her ability to hit with heavy topspin, especially on her forehand. By sending deep, high-bouncing shots to her opponent’s baseline, she forces them to move further back, disrupting their timing and taking away their ability to attack early.
  • Against aggressive baseliners like Iga Swiatek, Andreeva’s topspin neutralizes their ability to step inside the court and dictate play.
  • The higher bounce forces opponents to hit from uncomfortable positions, often leading to short replies that Andreeva can then attack.
  • This tactic is particularly effective on slower hard courts and clay, where the ball sits up even more.

Using Low Slices to Keep Opponents Off Balance

Andreeva doesn’t just rely on topspin—she also mixes in low, skidding slices to break her opponent’s rhythm.
  • Against taller players like Elena Rybakina, low slices force them to hit up on the ball, reducing their ability to generate power.
  • Slices are especially effective on faster courts, where the ball stays low and forces awkward shot-making.
  • This variety keeps her opponents second-guessing, never allowing them to settle into a consistent rally pattern.

Maneuvering Opponents with Side-to-Side and Back-to-Front Play

Andreeva’s use of angles and court positioning is another key element of her disruptive game style. She doesn’t just move her opponents laterally; she also forces them to move forward and backward, making them cover more ground than they’d like.
  • She uses short, angled topspin shots to pull players wide before attacking the open space.
  • When opponents are pushed back by her deep topspin, she follows up with drop shots or short slices, forcing them to sprint forward and recover awkwardly.
  • This constant movement drains energy and increases the likelihood of errors over time.

Why This Strategy is So Effective

By varying spin, height, and court positioning, Andreeva dictates rallies without needing overwhelming power. She excels at taking time away from her opponents by:
  • Keeping them off balance with a mix of high balls and low slices.
  • Preventing them from setting up comfortably for attacking shots.
  • Exploiting their weaknesses by forcing them to hit from tough positions.
With a rapidly improving serve and an already elite tactical game, Andreeva’s ability to disrupt top players suggests that this is just the beginning.