Mirra Andreeva clinched her first Grand Slam title with victory over Maja Chwalinska on Saturday.
Andreeva, 19, defeated the Polish underdog 6-3, 6-2 on Court Philippe Chatrier, and has now risen two spots to world number six.
Andreeva seems destined to become world number one in the future; and who would oppose that train of thought after her impressive fortnight in Paris?
How many Grand Slams does Mirra Andreeva win in her career? 🏆
With that being said, are Andreeva’s abilities as a tennis player now on par with that of Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina?
Sam Querrey and Steve Johnson, two former top-30 ATP players, have attempted to answer that question.
Steve Johnson believes Mirra Andreeva is now in the same class of players as Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina
Speaking on the Nothing Major Show, Querrey argued that Andreeva does not yet possess the all-court game to challenge Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina.
“I don’t think so quite yet. I think Andreeva is still a little clay dependent with her results,” the former Wimbledon semi-finalist said.
“When we get to the grass court season and hard court season I think she will still have really good results but I don’t think they will quite on par with Sabalenka and Rybakina just yet.
“Having said that I think she is in that next group right below, but I feel like those two women are just above her.”
Steve Johnson, a winner of seven ATP Tour singles titles, disagreed with Querrey’s statement.
The American, who achieved a career-high ranking of world number 21, believes Andreeva has now entered the same category of players as Sabalenka and Rybakina.
“Those are their best surfaces on hard, Rybakina and Sabalenka. I think she is there,” said Johnson [pictured below]. “She wins a Slam and that has got to be a huge emotional release.
“She did not have to wait as Wimbledon goes by and the US Open goes by and she’s top five and she still hasn’t won a Slam.
“I think she is right in that group and will definitely compete for the big ones in the summer. Maybe not Wimbledon, that might be a little too soon emotionally.
“I could not tell you, I never won a Slam, so I don’t know how easy it is to win a Slam and then come back in three weeks’ time at Wimbledon.”
Querrey then concluded: “We kind of disagree on that then. You think she is up there with Sabalenka and Rybakina starting now.
“I still don’t. I think she is one notch below.”
What next for Mirra Andreeva?
Following her title triumph in Paris, Mirra Andreeva is set to spend a week away from competitive play.
Andreeva is scheduled to make her return at the Berlin Open – a WTA 500 event that will run from June 15 to 21.
Andreeva will compete for the German title alongside the likes of Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina and Coco Gauff.
Elina Svitolina, Madison Keys and Victoria Mboko – who is competing alongside Serena Williams in London this week – are also set to play in Berlin.
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The following week, Andreeva is set to compete in the Bad Homburg Open.
The event, last won by Jessica Pegula, will also feature Elena Rybakina, Naomi Osaka and Iga Swiatek.
Andreeva will then look to win her second Grand Slam title in a row when she compete at the Wimbledon Championships.
The Grand Slam event, last won by Iga Swiatek, will begin on June 29.
