Russian tennis players Erika Andreeva and her sister Mirra Andreeva recently opened up about visa hurdles in their hometown Krasnoyarsk, highlighting how passport and immigration procedures can slow travel for competition. In comments made to Match TV, Erika noted that visa issues are not widespread but have grown longer to process, especially for events in the United Kingdom. She added that outside of these pauses, the path remains clear, and domestic schedules and preparations continue without major disruption.
Earlier this year, on July 22, Anastasia Potapova announced she would miss the WTA 250 event in Germany due to visa complications. The decision underscored ongoing travel and entry challenges many Russian players face when entering certain European countries for competition, a topic that continues to affect scheduling and tournament participation.
On October 28, the Andreeva sisters, Erica aged 19 and Mirra aged 16, conducted a master class in Krasnoyarsk. Erica is ranked within the top 150 of the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) standings, while Mirra has risen into the top 50, reflecting a strong family presence in the sport as both players balance junior development with professional ambitions.
In the current season, the WTA rankings show Arina Sabalenka of Belarus holding the top position, with Poland’s Iga Swiatek in second place, and the United States’ Cori Gauff rounding out the top three. Notably, Russian players are not represented in the WTA top-10 rankings at this moment, a shift that has persisted for some time in the landscape of elite women’s tennis.
In recent events, Russia’s top players have faced additional challenges in reaching tournament finals and securing deep runs in major events, with several near-misses and competitive performances that signal ongoing potential despite the travel and visa hurdles. Industry observers continue to monitor how visa policies and international travel requirements influence the eligibility and preparation of Russian athletes on the global circuit, especially as majors and high-profile events recur on the calendar. Attribution: This overview reflects reports from tennis coverage outlets and official WTA rankings as of the current season, compiled from multiple sources to provide a cohesive picture of player standings and travel-related developments.