Mirra Andreeva recently clarified that her decision not to compete at the 2025 Toray Pan Pacific Open was made by her and her team and not due to visa issues. Her absence from the tournament in Tokyo ultimately cost her a spot in the singles event at the 2025 WTA Finals.
In light of Andreeva’s remarks, Australian tennis player Ellen Perez, who was the first to suggest that Andreeva missed Tokyo due to not having a visa, provided clarity on her comments. She explained what she meant regarding Andreeva’s inability to compete in Tokyo.
Ellen Perez Clarifies Her Comments About Mirra Andreeva’s Visa Debacle
After withdrawing from the 2025 Toray Pan Pacific Open, Andreeva was surpassed by Elena Rybakina by just six points, preventing her from securing a place in the singles event at the 2025 WTA Finals. This left the tennis community questioning the reasons behind the Russian’s absence from Tokyo.
In response to these concerns, Perez took to social media, stating that Andreeva did not compete in Tokyo due to not having a visa.
“She doesn’t have the visa to play in Tokyo,” Perez stated.
Recently, Andreeva addressed the situation, explaining that her withdrawal from the 2025 Toray Pan Pacific Open was a collective decision made by her and her team, which she later deemed a “wrong decision.” She mentioned that they would learn from this experience and avoid making the same mistake in the future.
“We just had a talk with our team and we decided to skip the tournament. In the end, it turned out to be a wrong decision. I guess with experience we’re just learning. We’re just going to learn from this, we’re going to get more experience from this and next time I think we’re not going to make that mistake again,” Andreeva said.
Andreeva’s reasoning for not participating in Tokyo led some fans to criticize Perez for spreading what they considered “misinformation” regarding the visa situation.
In her defense against these accusations, Perez clarified that she never specifically said Andreeva had “visa issues.” Instead, she only mentioned that the Russian did not have a visa to play in Tokyo.
“I did’t say visa issues. I said she doesn’t have a visa. The reason she doesn’t have a visa is because long ago she obviously told herself she won’t play. So when the time came to play she couldn’t cause she didn’t have a visa. Learn to understand the difference,” Perez posted on X (formerly known as Twitter).
I did’t say visa issues. I said she doesn’t have a visa. The reason she doesn’t have a visa is because long ago she obviously told herself she won’t play. So when the time came to play she couldn’t cause she didn’t have a visa. Learn to understand the difference.
— Ellen Perez (@EllenPerez95) November 2, 2025
Perez reiterated that while she was aware of Andreeva’s visa status, it was not her place to disclose that information; it was Andreeva’s responsibility to communicate it, which she eventually did.
“I never said visa issues! I said she didn’t have a visa which is true. It’s not my place or job to tell you why she doesn’t have a visa even though I did know. She has now informed you so hopefully you can sleep at night,” Perez posted.
I never said visa issues! I said she didn’t have a visa which is true. It’s not my place or job to tell you why she doesn’t have a visa even though I did know. She has now informed you so hopefully you can sleep at night.
— Ellen Perez (@EllenPerez95) November 2, 2025
Despite not qualifying for the singles event at the 2025 WTA Finals, Andreeva has qualified for the doubles event alongside Diana Shnaider. They are seeded fifth and began their campaign with a defeat, losing 3-6, 6-7(2) to the defending champions, third-seeded pair Gabriela Dabrowski and Erin Routliffe, in their first round-robin match.
Andreeva and Shnaider will next face the seventh-seeded pair of Tímea Babos and Luisa Stefani in their next group stage match.