Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva has made tennis history by winning the Dubai Tennis Championships on February 22, 2025. During the final, she delivered impressive performance defeating Denmark's Clara Tauson with sets of 7-6 (1), 6-1. At just 17 years and 299 days old, Andreeva became the youngest WTA 1000 champion since the format was introduced in 2009.
This victory is particularly notable as it places her among a select group of young athletes who have succeeded at this level. With this win, she has solidified her status not only as a champion but as a prominent player on the WTA tour. Following this victory, Andreeva is set to make her debut at No. 9 on the WTA rankings, making her the first teenager to reach the top 10 since Nicole Vaidisova achieved the same feat back in 2007.
Andreeva's road to victory was anything but easy. The budding star exhibited remarkable resilience after dropping the first two games against Tauson. Yet, she quickly regained her composure and broke back to level at 2-2, eventually triumphing the first set through a commanding tiebreaker, which she won 7-1. For the second set, Andreeva dominated, racing to lead 5-1 before serving out the match with confidence.
After her historic win, Andreeva expressed her joy during the post-match press conference. "I've been dreaming of having a press conference with a trophy by my side, so finally it happened," she said, her face lit up with excitement. Her genuine enthusiasm was palpable as she reflected on her accomplishment. "This is something I dreamt of and now my dream came true, and I'm speechless right now," she added.
Andreeva's victory marks her second title overall, following her success at the Iasi Open last year. Notably, her performance at this tournament included defeating three Grand Slam champions: Iga Swiatek, Marketa Vondrousova, and Elena Rybakina. These wins placed her among the elite young players, reminiscent of past champions like Maria Sharapova.
One highlight of Andreeva's post-match remarks was her humorous yet empowering statement of self-acknowledgment. "Last but not least, I’d like to thank me. I know what I’ve been dealing with, so I want to thank me for always believing in me. I want to thank me for never quitting and always dealing with the pressure," she said, which drew laughter and applause from the audience.
Following her successful title run, Andreeva's confidence is soaring, yet she remains focused on her future aspirations. She remarked, "Now when you enter Top 10... the slower and longer it's going to take for you to be even higher. This is the exact goal... be Top 5 by the end of the year." Aspiring for such heights, she seems poised to become one of the sport’s next great athletes.
Looking at how she managed to navigate the pressure of the final match, Andreeva admitted, "I was hella nervous. I think you could see it during the match, all those double faults, mistakes. I’m just really happy I could manage and deal with the pressure, and now it just feels amazing." These candid reflections showcase her maturity as she balances the weight of expectation and the thrill of victory.
With the Dubai title under her belt and anticipation surrounding her growth potential, Mirra Andreeva has undoubtedly become one of tennis's rising stars. The world will be watching closely to see how she builds on her success and whether she can achieve her ambitious goals this year and beyond.