Mirra Andreeva lost her first match since winning the French Open, falling to fellow Russian Ekaterina Alexandrova in the second round of the Bad Homburg Open.
Why it matters: Andreeva’s defeat marks a disappointing start to her grass-court season, raising questions about her form ahead of Wimbledon.
Andreeva, the 19-year-old French Open champion, lost 6-3, 6-4 to Alexandrova on June 24, 2026.
This was her first match since her Grand Slam victory, and she had withdrawn from the prior Berlin Open to prepare for Wimbledon.
Andreeva joins Coco Gauff as the sixth player this century to lose their next match after winning Roland Garros.
Driving the news: In a heated match at the Bad Homburg Open, Andreeva struggled against Alexandrova, who won her first top-10 match of the year.
Andreeva started strong but lost momentum, dropping seven consecutive games during the match.
Alexandrova, ranked 19th in the world, secured her victory in just 1 hour and 28 minutes.
After winning the first set 6-3, Alexandrova quickly established a 4-0 lead in the second before Andreeva fought back.
State of play: Andreeva’s performance on grass has been underwhelming, raising concerns about her readiness for Wimbledon.
She will enter Wimbledon without any wins on grass this year, having not played any matches on the surface prior to Bad Homburg.
Andreeva’s defeat adds pressure as she aims to build on her recent Grand Slam success.
The young star had hoped to replicate the strong performances of players like Serena Williams and Iga Swiatek on grass.
The big picture: Andreeva’s loss highlights the challenges players face transitioning from clay to grass.
Historically, many players have struggled to maintain their form after winning the French Open, with only six achieving this century.
Andreeva’s early exit raises questions about her mental and physical preparation ahead of Wimbledon.
Grass courts often present unpredictable conditions, making it difficult for players to adapt quickly.
What they're saying: After her victory, Alexandrova expressed her respect for Andreeva's talent.
“Every time I play her, I know it’s going to be a super difficult match because she’s such a great player,” Alexandrova said.
She acknowledged the challenges of playing on grass, stating, “It’s super hot, and on the grass, you never know what to expect.”
Looking ahead to her next match against Naomi Osaka, Alexandrova noted, “I don’t know. I think we’ve never played together, so it’s going to be the first match.”
By the numbers: Andreeva’s loss is part of a broader trend among recent French Open champions.
Since 2000, the following players have lost their next match after winning Roland Garros: 2026 Andreeva, 2025 Gauff, 2016 Muguruza, 2010 Schiavone, 2009 Kuznetsova, and 2005 Henin.
Andreeva’s match against Alexandrova was her first grass-court match of the 2026 season.
Alexandrova’s victory marks her first win over a top-10 player in a year.
What's next: Andreeva will need to regroup quickly as she heads into Wimbledon.
She will face increased scrutiny as she attempts to defend her Grand Slam title.
Wimbledon begins on July 3, 2026, giving Andreeva limited time to regain her form.
Fans and analysts will follow closely closely to see if she can bounce back from this setback.