Mirra Andreeva explained her unusual mental routine during a post-match press conference at Roland Garros 2026. The 19-year-old Russian said she imagines a big stop sign to halt negative thoughts on court. She also sings songs in her head and uses breathing techniques.
Andreeva spoke after defeating Marie Bouzkova 6-4, 6-2 in one hour and 35 minutes on Friday. She described how her psychologist advised her to picture a red stop sign when unwanted thoughts arise during matches. “Sometimes, you know, there are thoughts that at one point come into your head that you cannot really control,” she said. She added that she then starts singing a song, which sometimes comes from crowd chants she heard earlier that day.