Facing off against her good friend and compatriot Daria Kasatkina in the Chinese city of Ningbo, Mirra Andreeva battled hard with hopes of winning the biggest title of her career.
While it was an essential learning experience for Andreeva, her strong emotions were also an instructive sight for those watching her.
In the final weeks of her first season competing at the highest level of professional tennis, the best teenage player in the world found herself on the brink of a perfect ending.
Despite Kasatkina’s admirable attempts to console her younger friend and the sweet sportsmanship they shared, the 17-year-old struggled to accept the defeat.
Those tears showed how much she cares about her craft and the high standards she sets for herself even at such a young age.
