Australian Open contender Mirra Andreeva inspired by Steffi Graf and Martina Hingis

Anyone who suggests Generation Z lacks respect for the past hasn't met Mirra Andreeva.

A rising star on the WTA Tour, the 17-year-old Russian doesn't shy away from admiring the greats of tennis, in particular Steffi Graf and Martina Hingis.

As role models in the game go, it's hard to beat a pair of former world number ones.

Graf won 22 major singles titles, including four Australian Opens, and completed the Golden Slam in 1988.

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Like Graf, Hingis won multiple Australian Opens (1997-1999) and finished her career with five major singles crowns.

The Swiss is also the youngest player to claim a major in the Open era, achieving the feat when she lifted the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup trophy at Melbourne Park as a 16-year-old in 1997.

Andreeva has been tipped to be a future champion at the majors and she showed it may be sooner rather than later when she reached the French Open semifinals last year.

The Australian Open, which began on Sunday, may be a bridge too far, given the draw she would have to navigate as the 14th seed.

Andreeva — one of five teenagers in the women's singles draw — began the tournament in solid fashion, defeating Czech Marie Bouzková 6-3, 6-3 on John Cain Arena.

Martina Hingis won three Australian Opens during her career.

She admits her game is still a work in progress, which is why she looks to the examples of Graf and Hingis for ways to improve.

"I always liked the way Martina Hingis was playing," Andreeva told reporters at Melbourne Park.

"I have seen some similarities. I would say she played smart and I'm also playing smart like her.

"I think that the difference is that she was never afraid to come in and finish the point and be more aggressive.

"Now, I'm just starting to learn how to do it. I'm trying to force myself to finish the point at the net or to step in the court.

"I would say that when I watched her play — as soon as she has an opportunity — she would always come in and try to finish the point even more aggressive.

"And Steffi Graf, I would say that she was a tricky player with that slice … and then she would turn around to her forehand."

Graf and Hingis aren't the only major winners who inspire Andreeva.

Conchita Martinez began coaching Andreeva during the first half of the 2024 season and the close relationship they enjoy was clear to see after the first-round victory over Bouzková.

Conchita Martinez (right) looks on during Andreeva's first-round match. (AP: Ng Han Guan)

Andreeva — who reached a career-high ranking of 15 last week — feels her serve and groundstrokes have improved under Martinez's tutelage.

She also credits the 1994 Wimbledon champion for helping her adopt a "more aggressive" approach during matches.

Martinez's influence extends beyond the court, with Andreeva thriving in the relaxed environment the Spaniard has created.

"I really like the way our relationship is now improving day by day," Andreeva said.

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"I also like that she's still separating those things when we're on court. We try to be serious, we try to work.

"But as soon as we get off the court, we always try to joke around and laugh, so our atmosphere is not very serious and not strict."

Andreeva won't learn who her next opponent will be until Monday, when Japan's Moyuka Uchijima and Pole Magda Linette face each other.

She will play two-time defending champion and world number one Aryna Sabalenka in the fourth round if they both win through to the last 16.

Andreeva and Sabalenka met in the Brisbane International semifinals last week, with the Belarusian triumphing 6-3, 6-2.

But Andreeva came out on top in their previous clash when she defeated Sabalenka in three sets in the French Open quarterfinals last June.

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