Mirra Andreeva Won Indian Wells And Is Beating Major Winners For Fun

Russia's Mirra Andreeva celebrates with the trophy after defeating Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka during ... [+] the women's singles final tennis match at the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells, California, on March 16, 2025. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP) (Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images) AFP via Getty Images

Mirra Andreeva is a 17-year-old in a hurry. The Russian’s 2-6 6-4 6-3 victory over top seed Aryna Sabalenka at the Indian Wells final on Sunday was her second consecutive WTA 1000 title after clinching the Dubai Tennis Championships three weeks ago. She is now World No. 6 while also moving to No.3 on the latest PIF Race to the WTA Finals Leaderboard.

Unsurprisingly, the $1,124,380 paycheck in California was the biggest in her blossoming career. Andreeva doesn’t have a bank account yet, but that won’t be an issue next month.

Andreeva is enjoying the rollercoaster ride a lot more than her more senior Grand Slam- chasing peers. Iga Swiatek, Elena Rybakina and Sabalenka were in recovery from losing to thirtysomething Madison Keys when they ran into a headstrong teenager. She’s beaten the first two twice in the last month.

Sabalenka was predictably gracious and humorous during the trophy presentation with a touch of playful vengeance thrown in. “At your age, I was struggling to find the right coach, but you got it so much earlier, that’s why you’re doing so well. Congrats, it’s amazing to see your success. I’ll meet you next time on court and it’s probably not going to be your win! But whatever," joked the Belarusian.

The current World No.1 has good reason to feel a little nervous about the Andreeva threat. The Siberian sensation became the youngest Grand Slam semifinalist in 27 years after defeating the three-time major champion at Roland-Garros back in June. Although Sabalenka was suffering from severe stomach cramps at the time, that two-and-a-half-hour battle was a breakthrough in more ways than one. It marked Andreeva’s first win over a top-five player.

The belief is now flooding through her game and mindset as she threatens the major haul of the top three. Her goal to be in the top 10 by the end of the year has been fast- tracked. Andreeva’s current winning streak stands at 12, so it is little wonder she speaks with a youthful exuberance that exudes her ring of steel.

“I don’t know why I felt so much confidence. I felt like, 'I’m going to go and play the tiebreak like it’s the last tiebreak of my life,’" Andreeva said after defeating Swiatek last Friday. In the final, she thanked herself for “fighting until the end.”

That f word is a very popular one in the Andreeva lexicon. Fight features highly in her postmatch interviews and there’s plenty of evidence of it on court. There’s no better way to disarm and charm by laughing after dismantling the best player in the world, just as a 17-year-old Maria Sharapova did in the 2004 Wimbledon final against Serena Williams. Back then, the Guardian wrote: “For a teenager who giggles a lot and likes to go shopping, she (Sharapova) demonstrated a will to win that was nothing less than astonishing.”

Like her compatriot, Andreeva is a winner but she has a mobility, attitude and athleticism that will only grow stronger in years to come. Coach Conchita Martinez says that her charge is like a sponge. She is winning these three-setters between the ears as well as hitting plenty of winners between the lines. Andreeva talked of being “killed” on court in losing sets 6-1 and 6-2 to Swiatek and Sabalenka respectively at the BNP Paribas Open, but she took the bullets and fired back with interest.

PARIS, FRANCE - JUNE 05: Aryna Sabalenka and Mirra Andreeva shake hands after the Women's Singles ... [+] Quarter Final match on Day 11 at Roland Garros on June 05, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) Getty Images

“Mirra Andreeva is going to be number one in the world at some point,” proclaimed Andy Roddick recently on his Served podcast. It’s an early call that doesn’t seem premature. Sharapova won five major singles titles but never really troubled the Williams Empire after that brilliant start. the 2023 WTA Newcomer of the Year has already matched Serena as the youngest champion at Indian Wells. Six months later, Williams was a Grand Slam champion.

The Sunshine Double awaits in Miami. Andreeva will be looking to keep the heat on her opponents. She’s in warrior mode just like Sharapova two decades ago.

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