Mirra Andreeva did not play any WTA tournaments for a month because of a persistent wrist injury, but she has since revealed the severity of the injury.
Andreeva made a tearful exit at the Indian Wells Open in early March. She squandered her chance of serving for the first and second sets of her first-round match and ultimately lost in straight sets to Katie Volynets.
The highly talented young Russian withdrew from her subsequent tournament in Miami because of arm tendonitis and admitted that she had taken extra precautions, hence her absence from Florida.
Instead, Andreeva set her sights on competing on the European clay and made quite the return at the Rouen Open in northern France. She thrashed in-form Argentine Nadia Podoroska 6-1, 6-3 in an hour and 16 minutes.
The world No. 43 played her first match under the tutelage of new coach Conchita Martinez. Andreeva confirmed that she is trialing the partnership before giving the full details of her wrist. The 16-year-old credited her physio for resuscitating her health before stating that she did not feel any pain.
"Now it's good (the wrist). We've made a lot of good work with my physios, and now I don't feel any pain or discomfort."
Furthermore, Andreeva stated in her post-match press conference that clay is her favorite surface. Twelve months ago, she made waves during the clay swing. She accepted a wild card at the Marid Open and defeated the likes of Leylah Fernandez, Beatriz Haddad Maia, and Magda Linette.
"I really like to play on clay. I can say for now, it's my favorite surface."
Andreeva will face compatriot Elina Avanesyan in the second round. The unseeded 21-year-old saw off France's Fiona Ferro in three sets on Tuesday to set up an intriguing matchup, the first between them at tour level.