“I’d like to thank myself – for fighting until the end, for always believing and for never quitting.” Mirra Andreeva had the perfect words after “running like a rabbit” to stun the world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka at Indian Wells. This Snoop Dogg-inspired self-love wasn’t new for her either—she gave a similar speech at the Dubai Tennis Championships, and it’s safe to say, she’s earned the right to celebrate herself. With back-to-back Masters titles, Andreeva is the youngest champion in WTA history at this level and has climbed to a career-high ranking of World No.6. And others in the tennis community aren’t far behind in celebrating the 17-year-old!
Andreeva delivered a composed, clinical performance to stage a comeback against the 3-time Grand Slam champion Aryna Sabalenka. After dropping the first set 2-6, she found her rhythm, flipping the match to seal a 2-6, 6-4, 6-3 victory. Her win streak now stands at 12. Tennis players and pundits had nothing but praise for the teenage sensation on X.
Two-time Grand Slam champion Victoria Azarenka summed it up in a few words. She wrote, “Wow Mirra! Incredible .” Former World No.4 Caroline Garcia also congratulated her, teasing an upcoming interview on the Tennis Insider Podcast. She wrote, “Congratulations Mirra What a performance! @BNPPARIBASOPEN. Episode coming soon, you will love it and will get inspired by a 17 years old .”
Congratulations Mirra
What a performance! @BNPPARIBASOPEN
Episode coming soon, you will love it and will get inspired by a 17 years old https://t.co/i0xAwaLIhw
— Caroline Garcia (@CaroGarcia) March 16, 2025
Patrick McEnroe took it a step further with a bold prediction.“Mirra Andreeva absolutely amazing @BNPPARIBASOPEN What a run. Destined to be #1…..soon. Another incredible event at Indian Wells,” he wrote. But perhaps the most special message came from her compatriot and tennis legend, Maria Sharapova.
Maria Sharapova had seen this coming. In a WTA interview earlier in 2024, she predicted big things for Andreeva. The 5-time Grand Slam champion said, “I followed a little bit of her matches in 23’ and I think she has a strong attitude [and] she has the game to back it up. Genuinely, just like her approach and her sensibility in the game. And I think she has a very bright future ahead of her.”
Now, Sharapova is celebrating her words coming true. She took to X to write,”Mirra Many congratulations!! So poised. So well deserved. .” Andreeva’s achievement puts her in legendary company. By taking down Sabalenka, she became the youngest player to beat a World No.1 in a WTA final since Sharapova stunned Lindsay Davenport in Tokyo 2005.
Even Serena Williams’ former coach, Rick Macci, couldn’t help but draw comparisons between the two Russians. The legendary coach wrote, “Mentally she is in a bubble like Sharapova was. Mentally cut and uses same Russian cloth of right here right now. Andreeva barring injury will be a double-digit Slam Champion and has the potential to be the Cream of the Crop of any Russian who got to the Top.”
It’s a fitting comparison. When Andreeva was just 15, she was asked what she would want to know from Sharapova. Her question? “What did it feel like to win a Grand Slam at 17 years of age?” The former World No.6 did it in 2004, shocking the world by taking down two-time defending champion Serena Williams at Wimbledon. Andreeva, meanwhile, had a solid run at the Australian Open this year, reaching the fourth round. But her best Slam result so far has come at the French Open, where she made it to the semifinals.
Now, her focus shifts to the Miami Open that commences on 19th March. The Sunshine Double is on the line, and given the way she’s been playing, it wouldn’t be wise to count her out. Can she make history again?
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