Mirra Andreeva’s first days as a Grand Slam champion will not include a quick return to competition. The new Roland Garros champion has withdrawn from next week’s Berlin Tennis Open, choosing instead to adjust her schedule after the biggest title run of her career.
Andreeva, now one of the central storylines heading into the grass-court season, said the decision was made with her team as she looks to recover from Paris and prepare properly for the surface change. “My team and I have decided to take more time to rest, recover and better prepare for grass,” Andreeva said in a statement shared by the tournament.
The move removes one of Berlin’s biggest attractions from the draw, but it is also a logical reset for a player coming off an emotionally and physically demanding two weeks at Roland Garros. Andreeva defeated Maja Chwalinska 6-3, 6-2 in the French Open final to capture her first Grand Slam title and announce herself as one of the defining young players in the women’s game.
Wimbledon Preparation Takes Priority
Berlin is one of the key WTA grass-court stops before Wimbledon, but Andreeva’s withdrawal suggests her team is taking a careful approach after her breakthrough in Paris. The transition from clay to grass is among the sharpest in tennis, demanding different movement, shorter points, lower bounces and a quicker tactical adjustment.
For Andreeva, the timing is especially important. Winning Roland Garros changed the scale of expectation around her almost overnight. Rather than rush back into another tournament, she will use the extra time to recover and begin shaping her grass-court preparation with Wimbledon in mind.
Andreeva’s decision also reflects the larger challenge top players face during the brief gap between the French Open and Wimbledon. The grass season is short, but the physical toll of a deep Paris run can make immediate scheduling risky.
Bencic Also Withdraws From Berlin
Berlin’s field also lost Belinda Bencic, who withdrew because of a continuing right ankle injury. The Swiss player had been expected to use the tournament as part of her own grass-court build-up, but the injury has forced a change in plans.
The double withdrawal takes two prominent names out of one of the most important women’s events before Wimbledon. For Andreeva, though, the story is less about concern and more about timing. She leaves Paris as a Grand Slam champion and now turns toward the next test: proving how quickly her game can translate from clay to grass.
Her absence in Berlin may disappoint fans, but it also makes clear where the priority now lies. After conquering Roland Garros, Andreeva is giving herself the space to arrive on grass ready for the next chapter.
