Dubai champions, a childhood crush and making US Open semis
Mirra Andreeva and Andrey Rublev have both won the Dubai Tennis Championships, the 19-year-old did it last year and the 28-year-old in 2022. Both are from Russia and it emerged on Tuesday during their semi-final run in the US Open mixed doubles that the teenage French Open champion also used to have a crush on her partner. "I've never said anything, I've never told him anything as well, but I…
Mirra Andreeva and Andrey Rublev, both Russian players, have each claimed victory at the Dubai Tennis Championships. Last year, Andreeva achieved this feat, while Rublev succeeded in 2022. Their paths crossed again on Tuesday during the US Open mixed doubles semi-finals. Their shared history extends beyond the tennis court, as Andreeva revealed during an interview that she once had a crush on her partner.
She admitted to never expressing her feelings, but shared that it was a dream come true to partner with her childhood crush. Rublev acknowledged the revelation, noting that she had been 15 or 16 when she harboured those feelings. The Russians advanced to the semi-finals, where they will face Karolina Muchova and Jakub Mensik. Rublev, known for his fiery demeanor and red hair, credited Andreeva's kindness for her appeal, despite his intense outbursts on court.
He jokingly referred to their courtship as a "stupid thing" during a transition phase. Rublev has reached 10 Grand Slam quarter-finals, including four at the US Open, and is currently making strides in the mixed doubles tournament.
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