Martina Navratilova: Wimbledon Centre Court could inspire Mirra Andreeva

“Unfortunately, I haven’t had the chance to play on Centre Court yet,” Mirra Andreeva said earlier this week at Wimbledon, “but I hope I’m going to get there.”

The No. 7 seed didn’t have to wait long, booking herself a spot on SW19’s signature court for her fourth round against American Emma Navarro. For all the teenager has achieved in her short career—back-to-back WTA 1000 titles, a Top 10 debut, and a Grand Slam semifinal at Roland Garros—Centre Court was a striking gap in her resume.

“She may be nervous but you’re so excited about being there that you actually play better,” said Martina Navratilova, a nine-time Wimbledon champion previewing Andreeva vs. Navarro. “I know that was the case for me and for people that I have spoken to, it’s the same thing. The awe, the respect, but ah, I get to play on Centre Court!

“It means a lot to her, too,” agreed TC Analyst Jon Wertheim. “This is not just another milestone. She said she’s sort of giddy for this Centre Court debut. We’ll see how she posts.”

Navarro made her Centre Court debut in style 12 months ago when she stunned countrywoman Coco Gauff in straight sets to reach her first Grand Slam quarterfinal. Though her follow-up was a 6-2, 6-1 defeat to eventual finalist Jasmine Paolini, Navarro’s experience on Centre could give her an advantage against Andreeva.

“The Wimbledon Centre Court aura is a real thing,” former world No. 1 Jim Courier said on Tennis Channel’s Wimbledon Primetime. “The first time you go out there, it is just different than anything you’ve experienced as a tennis player. She’s an experienced young woman but this is going to be new. On paper, if they were playing on a normal court, I think Mirra slightly edges her. She beat her in Cincy last year the one time they did play. I don’t know. Wimbledon’s Centre Court adds a bit of edge to it.”

Andreeva, who fell in women’s doubles alongside partner Diana Shnaider on Sunday, indeed dropped just four games to Navarro in their only previous match last summer, a 6-2, 6-2 scoreline on the Cincinnati Open’s Stadium Court. TC Analyst Prakash Amritraj argued that Andreeva’s big-court experience should translate on Monday.

“It may favor Mirra,” Amritraj said of the 18-year-old. “I think we’re going to see her bring out something. This is a very special young player. I think she could possibly find her best tennis we’ve seen thus far in the event.”

Beyond vibes, former Wimbledon champion Lindsay Davenport predicted that Navarro will need to up her aggression to cause an upset on Centre Court.

“She’s got to figure out a way to be able to play her game, which is the short angles and some of the short slices, and not get jerked around too much by Andreeva,” Davenport said of Navarro, who dethroned defending champion Barbora Krejcikova in the third round. “It’s a match that Emma is going to have play a little more offensive than we’ve seen so far at this tournament.”

“Emma Navarro’s just played really solid tennis but nothing to really bother people that are really good players,” echoed Navratilova earlier on Tennis Channel. “Mirra Andreeva has a bigger game, bigger weapons, and I think the match is on her racquet. Emma has got to get a little more proactive but I’m not sure she wants to. I think Mirra is the favorite. When they’ve played, Mirra won handily.”

Andreeva and Navarro will follow Novak Djokovic and Alex de Minaur on Centre Court Monday afternoon.