'Are you kidding?': Pushkareva shocks Wimbledon to claim girls' title
What a week it has been for Anna Pushkareva after she pulled off a major shock by conquering all before her in the girls’ draw to lift Junior Grand Slam silverware at the Junior Championships, Wimbledon.
Pushkareva entered the tournament ranked No. 28 in the World Tennis Tour Junior Rankings but rose to the occasion in spectacular fashion to defeat top seed Sun Xinran 5-7 6-3 6-4 in an absorbing final.
It took two hours and 22 minutes to separate the two – the longest Wimbledon girls’ singles final on record – with Pushkareva prevailing to seal the maiden Junior Grand Slam title of her career.
The 17-year-old is clearly talented – and eloquent – but not many would have foreseen this week playing out as it has given her previous best Grand Slam performance was a third-round finish at this year’s Roland Garros.
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This was only her third appearance at a Junior Grand Slam but what a story she has written for herself. Glory and plaudits are rightfully heading her way, while she has made memories that will last a lifetime.
“If someone had said a few weeks ago that I’d be Wimbledon champion I would have said, ‘are you kidding me?’,” said Pushkareva. “I would say it’s a bad joke because I lost in the first round at J300 Roehampton. I thought I was going to lose in the first round here.
“It sounds crazy but I can’t properly realise what I have achieved right now, I need time. I feel like I just won a match and that’s all. I am not really realising that the tournament is at an end and did what I just did. I can’t explain it.
“When I was serving for the match, I remember there was so much pressure – and I’m not breathing really. It probably didn’t seem like that, because when you see me on court, it probably looks like I don’t care too much. But, actually, I felt so, so nervous.
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“But I got through and Wimbledon is now my favourite Grand Slam. But it actually was from the first few days. It’s a really special atmosphere and such an historic Grand Slam.”
Pushkareva has already made her professional debut on the World Tennis Tour in October 2025 and reached the final at her first pro event at W15 Sharm El Sheikh, coincidentally losing to Sun.
The teenager has contested seven pro events during her career, winning one main draw match across the four she has featured at this year. Wherever she goes from here, she seems to have a defined a particular on-court mindset – do not overthink.
“My biggest secret is actually that I just try to not think,” she added. “When I don't think, it’s easy. I just go to the court and do my job. It is better not to think about people, the arena, the fact it’s a Wimbledon final. When you think, the pressure comes.”
For Pushkareva, there is now the traditional Wimbledon Champions Ball to look forward to on Sunday where the newly-crowned Grand Slam champions are celebrated.
“I don't really know too much about this thing,” she said. “I hear about it because I know girls who have been here and I have seen it on their Instagram. Do I need a dress? Do people travel to tournaments with a dress? I don’t know, but I’m excited.”
A full list of results from the 2026 Junior Championships can be found here