'I want to thank myself' - Andreeva's journey to Grand Slam glory
BBC News ·

"I want to thank myself." That was the phrase emblazoned on Mirra Andreeva's jacket as she lifted her first Grand Slam trophy at the French Open. …
"I want to thank myself." That was the phrase emblazoned on Mirra Andreeva's jacket as she lifted her first Grand Slam trophy at the French Open. After a dominant 6-3 6-2 victory over Polish qualifier Maja Chwalinska that made the 19-year-old the youngest woman to win the Roland Garros singles title since Monica Seles in 1992, Andreeva rattled off a lengthy list of thank yous. She started by showing her gratitude to Chwalinska, before moving onto tournament organisers and her team - including her coach, former French Open finalist Conchita Martinez. But Andreeva reserved the final - and most important - thanks for herself. "I also want to thank myself for believing in myself," she said. "For giving 100% even when it's been tough, trying every day to be better as a person and a player, believing I can do this, fighting so many demons inside of me. "Only I know how tough it was for me and how nervous I was these past two weeks, so thanks to me for working so hard and giving my best." Andreeva has thanked herself after many of her title triumphs - a twist on a quote she "stole" from rapper Snoop Dogg. "In the beginning I just said it so everyone would laugh at how funny I am," Andreeva joked. "Then after I realised: why not thank yourself? Because you are the one that works, you are the one doing the job, you're the one that's feeling all the nerves."
Original source: BBC News