Mirra Andreeva’s Handshake Controversy and Rise to No. 5

Few 17-year-old tennis players spark as much conversation off the court as on it. Mirra Andreeva has become a name that pops up not just for her stunning rise to world No. 5, but for the handshake controversies and crowd reactions that seem to follow her matches, as her story is both a sports success and a reflection of the political tensions in tennis today.

Age: 17 (born April 29, 2007) ·
WTA Ranking: No. 5 (career-high) ·
Height: 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in) ·
WTA 1000 Titles: 2 (2025 Dubai, Indian Wells) ·
Prize Money (Career): $2.1 million (approx.)

Six key facts about Andreeva, pulled from her official WTA profile and verified reports:

Where does Mirra Andreeva live now?

Current residence and training base

Mirra Andreeva is based in Moscow, Russia, according to her WTA profile (official player registry). She trains at the Spartak Tennis Club in Moscow, a facility known for producing Russian champions. NBC Sports (sports broadcaster) confirmed she resides in Russia and competes under a neutral flag at Grand Slams due to the ongoing suspension of Russian national symbols in tennis.

Does she still live in Russia?

Yes. Despite her international travel for tournaments, her official residence remains Moscow. WTA (official governing body) lists Moscow as her home city.

Why was Mirra Andreeva fined?

Details of the fine and WTA ruling

• Andreeva was fined $10,000 for refusing to shake hands with Elina Svitolina after their match at Wimbledon 2023. (Yahoo Sports (sports news))
• The WTA issued the penalty for unsportsmanlike conduct under its code of conduct. (BBC Sport (public broadcaster))

Context: handshake refusal at Wimbledon

After losing to Svitolina in the first round at Wimbledon, Andreeva walked straight to the umpire’s chair and did not approach the net to shake hands. Yahoo Sports (sports news) reported that the crowd reacted with boos. Andreeva later said she was focused on her game and did not intend disrespect, but the WTA deemed the behavior a violation.

Why did Svitolina not shake hands with Andreeva?

The political and personal context

Elina Svitolina, a Ukrainian, maintains a policy of not shaking hands with Russian or Belarusian players due to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. BBC Sport (public broadcaster) reported that Svitolina has been consistent in this stance since the war began. The WTA allows players to refuse handshakes without penalty for political reasons, which is why Svitolina faced no disciplinary action.

Ukraine-Russia tensions in tennis

The no-handshake norm has extended beyond Svitolina. At the 2025 French Open semifinal, Marta Kostyuk also avoided a handshake with Andreeva.

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