Mirra Andreeva has set the record straight about her withdrawal from the Tokyo Open — a decision that ultimately cost her a place at the 2025 WTA Finals. The 18-year-old Russian clarified that her absence had nothing to do with visa issues, contrary to speculation that spread on social media following a comment from Australian doubles specialist Ellen Perez.
The rumors caught fire quickly, since Andreeva’s decision to skip Tokyo came during the crucial final stage of the race to Riyadh. By missing that event, she left the door open for Jasmine Paolini and Elena Rybakina to overtake her in the rankings, pushing Andreeva down to ninth and leaving her as the first alternate for the season-ending Finals.
Now, the teenager has offered her own explanation. Speaking to AFP, Andreeva said her withdrawal was not caused by administrative problems, but by a tactical decision from her camp.
“We talked it through as a team and decided to skip the tournament,” she admitted. “In the end, it was the wrong decision.”
Despite the disappointment, the world No. 9 spoke with calm and maturity.
“You learn from experience,” she said. “It’s only my second full year on tour, so we take the lessons, gain the experience, and hopefully won’t make the same mistake again.”
Her honesty offered a rare look into the challenges young players face in navigating the relentless WTA schedule and the fine line between rest and risk.
Confusion and speculation around Andreeva’s decision
Andreeva’s late withdrawal raised eyebrows across the tennis world, given how vital Tokyo was to her hopes of qualifying for the WTA Finals in Riyadh. The Russian had enjoyed a breakout 2025 season, capturing two WTA 1000 titles — in Dubai and Indian Wells — yet chose to skip the final Asian stop. That decision allowed Rybakina to edge past her in the rankings.
The situation was particularly puzzling because Andreeva was separated from her rivals by only a handful of points. Perez’s public comment — claiming that Andreeva had been unable to secure a visa for Japan — fueled talk that bureaucratic issues had kept her out. That theory has now proven false.
For Andreeva, it was a bitter end to a brilliant year. With quarterfinal runs at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, a 40–16 match record, and over $4.6 million in prize money, she stood among 2025’s breakout stars. Yet her form began to wobble during the Asian swing, where early exits in Beijing, Wuhan and Ningbo cost her valuable points and opened the door for Paolini and Rybakina to move ahead. By the time the dust settled, Andreeva had slipped to No. 9 — close, but not quite enough for the main draw in Riyadh.
From whispers to headlines — and back to facts
The confusion deepened when journalist José Morgado reported that Andreeva had originally been granted a wildcard for Tokyo but later withdrew it. Fans were quick to notice. One wrote: “I really don’t understand what happened with Mirra. She had a wildcard and suddenly pulled out.” WTA Doubles player Perez then commented on X (formerly Twitter), stating: “She doesn’t have a visa to play in Tokyo.”
That single remark sparked a wave of stories implying administrative trouble — a chain of speculation that Andreeva’s latest clarification has now firmly shut down.
In doing so, the 18-year-old not only corrected the record but also revealed how quickly misinformation can circulate within the sport. Her candid explanation restores perspective: this was not about paperwork, but about choice — one that came at a costly moment in an otherwise stellar season.