Mirra Andreeva Advances as Sister Erika Retires at Stuttgart Open

Mirra Andreeva advanced to the last 16 at the 2025 Stuttgart Open after her elder sister Erika was forced to retire from their first-round match due to a knee injury. The emotional encounter saw Mirra expressing sadness over her sister's condition, acknowledging Erika's significant influence on her rapid rise in tennis by stating that Erika 'showed me the way.' Mirra, who has recently claimed back-to-back WTA 1000 titles in Dubai and Indian Wells, was the sixth seed in Stuttgart and will next face Ekaterina Alexandrova. Despite her win, Mirra highlighted her mixed emotions, emphasizing family over rivalry and expressing hope for Erika's swift recovery. The match was notable not only for the sibling storyline but also for Mirra's post-match gesture of singing 'Happy Birthday' to her coach, Conchita Martínez. With several top players withdrawing from the tournament, Mirra's strong form makes her one of the favorites for the title.