Safina defends Andreeva: "You're judging someone who is still learning to be an adult"

In tears during her match in Wuhan, the highly expressive Mirra Andreeva was defended by Dinara Safina.

At the Wuhan WTA 1000, Mirra Andreeva was eliminated in her opening match, in the second round against Laura Siegemund (6-7, 6-3, 6-3). During this encounter with the German player, the 18-year-old Russian, ranked in the world's top 5, was seen crying on the court.

This behavior was criticized by some tennis observers on social media. Former world number one Dinara Safina came to the defense of her young compatriot.

"Since everyone is talking about Mirra (Andreeva) and her behavior, I want to say this: do not judge, so that you may not be judged. You are debating whether she acted correctly or not.

For me, it's more about this: Mirra, what exactly happened during the match that made you struggle so much with your emotions? I'm really curious. Because each one of us, even adults, sometimes fails to control our emotions.

We argue, we say things to each other, and later we think: 'Oh my God!' Yet, you are judging someone who is still learning to be an adult. Let's be kinder to one another. I just want to know what the reason for her tears was.

I don't think it was simply about winning or losing. We all win and lose. She has had an excellent season. Maybe not as good as she hoped after Roland-Garros, but that is part of a player's development.

Sometimes, things don't go as planned. But you learn from every experience and you progress. I remember one time I cried throughout an entire match.

I couldn't stop, the tears just started flowing from the first point. If you ask me what happened, I would say: 'Nothing.' I was just crying my eyes out for no reason," Safina stated for Best Tennis Podcast.