Mirra Andreeva recently opened up about her superstitions around food, a habit her coach, Conchita Martinez, has been trying to manage.

Andreeva began working with Martinez, the 1994 Wimbledon champion, in April last year. The partnership was widely seen as a positive step for the young star’s career from the moment it was announced.

However, Martinez wasn’t Andreeva’s first choice. Former world No. 1 Dinara Safina revealed that Andreeva had initially approached her for the coaching role, but Safina couldn’t commit.

Similarly, three-time US Open champion Kim Clijsters shared that Andreeva had also reached out to her. These efforts underscored the 17-year-old’s determination to find a coach with top-level experience.

Since teaming up with Martinez, Andreeva has made impressive strides. She reached her first Grand Slam semifinal at the French Open last year, defeating Aryna Sabalenka along the way. She also claimed her maiden WTA title at the Iasi Open and came close to winning a WTA 500 title at the Ningbo Open, where she narrowly lost to Daria Kasatkina after leading 3-0 in the final set.

The Ningbo final was an emotional moment for Andreeva, who broke down in tears during the post-match ceremony. Kasatkina offered her comfort during the press conference, a gesture Andreeva later reflected on with gratitude.

Andreeva admits she can be a challenging player to coach at times due to her emotional nature and occasional teenage outbursts, which sometimes leave Martinez puzzled.

At the Australian Open, she revealed that her superstitions extend to food, insisting on eating the same meals and snacks during tournaments—a quirk that adds another layer of complexity to their partnership.

“It’s pretty complicated to work with me, because if I start the tournament eating chicken and rice, well, I cannot change after I cannot take pasta or I cannot take anything else. I will always take chicken and rice.”

“If I start like this, I’ve got to continue like this. Even if I’m tired, I have no choice, but I have to eat it. Today I start with dried fruits(for on-court snack) so it is dried fruits for Melbourne this year.”

Despite her efforts to break Andreeva’s food superstitions, Conchita Martinez, the former Wimbledon champion, has ended up embracing them in an unexpected way.

After accidentally spilling some powder on a desk while making one of Andreeva’s recovery shakes, Martinez now deliberately spills a little before preparing every shake as part of their routine.

Andreeva’s age and quirky habits don’t hinder the strong bond she shares with her coach. The Ningbo Open runner-up revealed that she feels at ease expressing her emotions with Martinez.

Their relationship strikes a balance between hard work and fun, creating a supportive and enjoyable dynamic both on and off the court.

“I feel very comfortable telling her everything that happens in my life. I don’t know if she wants to hear it, though! But I’m very comfortable sharing with her everything that’s going on.”

“We let ourselves joke around and have some fun. Of course she’s very professional, she knows when the fun is over and when we need to really put the work in, for example, in a tennis court. When we’re off the tennis court, we can have some fun, but of course we also need to take it serious sometimes.”

Novak Djokovic has confidently predicted that Carlos Alcaraz will achieve a career Grand Slam “very soon,” applauding the young star’s remarkable accomplishments.

However, the Serbian icon also offered a word of caution to Alcaraz about focusing too much on breaking records and making history.

Seeded seventh and third, respectively, Djokovic and Alcaraz could meet in a thrilling quarter-final showdown at the 2025 Australian Open.

At just 21 years old, Alcaraz has the chance to become the youngest player to win all four Grand Slam tournaments if he secures victory at the ongoing Australian Open or one of the next two editions. The current record belongs to Rafael Nadal, who completed his career Grand Slam at 24 years and three months with his 2010 US Open win.

Meanwhile, Djokovic is chasing his 11th Australian Open crown and a record-extending 25th major title overall.

Alcaraz has openly declared his ambition to challenge Djokovic’s records, with the all-time Grand Slam tally firmly in his sights.

“Obviously, I keep thinking about Nole’s 24 Grand Slams, that’s clear,” Alcaraz admitted in February last year.

“I’m a very ambitious guy and I always want to think big, and I dream big — obviously Djokovic’s 24 is a goal at the end of my career.

“It is something that is inevitable to think about. I am very competitive and that is also what drives me to the highest level to try to be at the same level as the Big Three. The truth is that I dream big.”

In an interview with GQ, Djokovic discussed the possibility of Alcaraz, who already holds four major titles, surpassing his records.

“It’s too early. But, you know, people say my records will never be broken. I doubt that. I mean, Carlos could already be the next guy. Even Jannik [Sinner],” the former world No 1 said.

“If they take care of the body, if they do things in a proper way, focus on longevity, focus on the long-term, then they can do it.

“Carlos has done something no one has done in history for such a young age. So the odds are with him. He is going to complete his [career] Slam very soon.

“He’s even said himself, he wants to make history. He wants to be ‘the best in history.’ I respect that kind of mentality of, ‘Hey, I think I got the goods.’ But maybe it’s a little bit early for him to think about history.”

Novak Djokovic found himself in an awkward spot during a quiz about his new coach, Andy Murray, leaving the 24-time Grand Slam champion feeling embarrassed.

Djokovic recently added his former rival to his coaching team, with Murray joining him in Melbourne for the Australian Open. However, during the quiz, Djokovic discovered he didn’t know much about his colleague, joking that they needed to “have a chat” after learning about Murray’s favorite athlete.

The tennis world was stunned in late November when Djokovic and Murray announced their high-profile partnership, just months after Murray retired at the Paris Olympics. Murray joined Djokovic for a 10-day pre-season training camp and has traveled to Melbourne to support him during the tournament. The duo spent the past week practicing together, with Murray set to sit in Djokovic’s player box for his opening match.

Before his first match with Murray in his corner, Djokovic took part in a quiz to test how well he knew his new coach. Despite their long-standing relationship—having known each other since childhood and competed on the sport’s biggest stages—Djokovic struggled with the questions. Laura Robson began by asking him to name Murray’s four children, but the world No. 7 was left stumped.

“Oh my god. Jesus. This is not good. This is not a good start. No I can’t. Oh Andy, I’m embarrassed,” he laughed.

Robson tried to help out. “There’s a Sophia, she’s the oldest. Do you know the name of the boy?” she asked. But Djokovic still had no clue.

He replied: “No. I am so embarrassed right now, I’ve got to work on it.” Robson reeled off the names as Djokovic recited them, trying to burn them in his brain.

“Sophia, Edie, Teddy and Lola,” he repeated. The rest of the quiz went a little better – Djokovic knew that Murray had played in 11 Major finals and that his cheat meal involved chocolate.

But he was stunned to learn who Murray said his favourite athlete was during the recent Paris Olympics. “Favourite athlete? I know he appreciates and loves female athletes a not, so was it a female?” Djokovic asked.

Robson revealed that Murray’s favorite athlete was a male tennis player. When Djokovic incorrectly guessed Nadal, she hinted that the person in question was younger.

“Alcaraz?” Djokovic asked as Robson confirmed he was right. The world No. 7 added: “That’s his favourite athlete? Andy, we have to have a chat after this interview! I do understand, that was before he accepted to work with me.”

As he left the interview, the 24-time Grand Slam champion was still in disbelief over not knowing the names of Murray’s children.

“Oh my god, I don’t know the names of his children,” he muttered, before reciting them with Robson again.