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Mirra Andreeva makes history as the first post 2005 Grand Slam champion, winning the French Open at 19 and ending qualifier Maja Chwalinska’s dream run.
Mirra Andreeva poses with the trophy after winning the French Open final (Picture credit: AP)
French Open champion Mirra Andreeva on Saturday, June 6, became the first player, man or woman, born after 2005 to win a Grand Slam. She was born in April 2007 and is just 19 years old.
The eighth-ranked Andreeva ended the run of 114th-ranked Polish qualifier Maja Chwalinska by 6-3, 6-2 in the French Open final.
Andreeva became the youngest player to win the women’s singles title since Monica Seles, who was 18 when she won her third straight French Open in 1992.
Spanish tennis star Carlos Alcaraz, who won his maiden Grand Slam at the US Open in 2022, was born in 2003. His arch-rival Jannik Sinner, who claimed his first Major at the Australian Open in 2024, was born in 2001.
American tennis star Coco Gauff, who won her maiden Grand Slam title at the US Open in 2023, was born in 2004.
The Coupe Suzanne Lenglen will now take centre spot in Andreeva’s burgeoning trophy cabinet, which already features two WTA 1000 titles.
“I have been watching Roland Garros on TV since I was very, very young, so it is also a big dream of mine to win this tournament and I honestly can’t believe that I am holding this trophy right now,” Andreeva said while speaking after the match.
“Congrats to Maja for these amazing three weeks, passing through qualies, winning so many matches, beating so many great players,” Andreeva added.
The loss to Andreeva at the final hurdle ended an extraordinary run for Chwalinska, who had started her campaign in qualifying. She went on to win nine matches in Paris, becoming the first qualifier in the Open era to reach the final in the French capital.
“I will definitely not forget these three weeks. Paris will stay forever in my heart,” Chwalinska said.
The world number 114 is all set to see her career transform, as she will rise to 21 in the rankings and bag entry into tennis’ biggest tournaments.
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