After she won the Adelaide title a week ago, many predicted that Mirra Andreeva could defeat the Australian Open favorites Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, and Coco Gauff. Her 6-0, 6-4 win over former world No. 3, Maria Sakkari, further solidified that thought. However, her AO journey ended against Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina. But the highlight of the day was her next act, attracting boos from the spectators.

On Sunday, emotions ran high for the “Russian Rabbit.” Svitolina struck first, taking the opening set 6-4. In the second, with the score at 4-5 (30-30), Mirra’s frustration hit its limit. She fired a return into the net, then slammed her racket onto the court. In the end, the victory went to the Ukrainian star. Instead of shaking hands with her opponent, Andreeva stormed off straight to the umpire.

Boos followed next.

While this time it was Mirra Andreeva who refused the handshake, Svitolina has already done so in the past. She is among the few players to have avoided handshakes at the end of matches against rivals from Russia and Belarus. With Andreeva being from Russia, she possibly wanted to give the Ukrainian a taste of her own medicine. She has not yet commented on the act.

The defeat now ends that early prediction as if the Russian had won this match, her next opponent would’ve been Gauff. For Svitolina, however, the win is another milestone.

It’s her fourth quarterfinal at the Australian Open. Her record at Melbourne Park now stands at an impressive 33-12. Yet, despite that achievement, it’s Mirra Andreeva’s outburst that stole the spotlight.

However, Andreeva has already left her mark at Melbourne Park. Two years ago, at just 16, she burst onto the scene by winning three matches in her Australian Open debut, including a stunning victory over three-time Grand Slam finalist Ons Jabeur, before bowing out in the round of 16 to Barbora Krejcikova.

Last year, the young Russian backed it up with another impressive run, sailing through her first three matches before world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka stopped her progress.

This time, she was flying through her opponents as well and was expected to surprise many. The fact that the last three Adelaide title winners have also won the Australian Open in those same years supported the prediction. But her campaign at the Australian Open has come to an end.

She has already inked her name in the history books alongside the legend Venus Williams, though. According to Opta Ace, she is the first woman since Williams (1998 and 2001) to reach that stage in each of her first three appearances at the tournament. Venus reached the quarterfinals in both of her first two trips and made it as far as the semifinals in her third appearance.

Now, the question of what she looks to do ahead remains. After she was booed off the court, some might wonder if the pro will follow in the footsteps of her fellow Russian players.

Will Mirra Andreeva change her citizenship?

It began when Daria Kasatkina, a longtime Russian tennis star, pulled off a big surprise by choosing to represent Australia last year. Her move seemed to set off a chain reaction. By late 2025, Anastasia Potapova chose Austria, while Polina Kudermetova, Kamilla Rakhimova, and Maria Timofeeva started competing for Uzbekistan.

“I haven’t even thought about it, I’ve heard and seen it lately, especially about Kasatkina and how she changed her citizenship,” Mirra Andreeva said. “Many players have switched, but I’m going to keep playing as I am.

“I haven’t had any offers or anything like that, so for now, I’ll continue as is. It doesn’t bring any extra pressure for me; I’m just doing my thing on the court. I focus on how to improve and be a better tennis player.”

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For the 18-year-old, it’s all about tennis, not nationality. She seems happy to focus on her own game, blocking out all the surrounding noise. The young Russian sounds more determined than ever to keep improving without worrying about who’s changing flags.

Looking ahead, Andreeva might skip Melbourne Park this time, but her schedule still looks busy. With big points to defend during the Middle East swing and the Sunshine Double, the next few weeks could be crucial. Will Mirra Andreeva succeed in doing so?