Mirra Andreeva has made history by winning the Dubai Tennis Championships, becoming the youngest player ever to secure a WTA 1000 title at the age of 17. The Russian teen displayed remarkable poise during the tournament, culminating her efforts with a decisive victory over Denmark's Clara Tauson, finishing with scores of 7-6, 6-1.
Andreeva's performance was impressive from start to finish, having initially overcome three Grand Slam champions—Marketa Vondrousova, Iga Swiatek, and Elena Rybakina—to earn her place in the final. This victory not only elevates her status as one of the rising stars of the sport but guarantees her entry on the WTA top-10 rankings next week.
Reflecting on her achievement after the match, Andreeva expressed her immense joy and surprise at reaching her year-end goal so early: "I'd set a goal for myself to be in the top 10 by the end of the year. Now it's the end of February and I've already made it, so this is something incredible for me," she stated. Her excitement was palpable as she noted the nerves she felt during the contest, saying, "I'm just super happy with the way I was playing today. I was hella nervous. I think you could see it during the match with all those double faults, some mistakes." She continued, “So I'm just really happy I could manage and deal with the pressure. And now it just feels amazing... This is something I dreamt of and now my dream came true so I'm just, I'm speechless right now.”
The match started with Tauson racing out to take an early lead, largely due to her solid service game. Andreeva found herself down 2-0 after making two double faults, but her tenacity shone through as she broke back to level the set at 2-2. The first set showcased intense rallies, with both players leveraging their powerful shots to engage the crowd. With neither wanting to relent, the set was decided by a tiebreak, where Andreeva proved her mettle. She won the first six points, eventually taking the set 7-6 when Tauson sent her return long.
Tauson needed medical attention before the second set, visibly frustrated after the loss of the first set. Despite some dazzling drop shots, Andreeva quickly took control, building on her momentum and establishing a 4-1 lead. With renewed confidence, Andreeva dictated the play, earning several emphatic winners and overwhelming Tauson. She secured the championship on her second match point when yet again, Tauson’s return sailed long.
This triumph is especially notable as Andreeva becomes only the second teenager—male or female—to clinch the title at the Dubai Tennis Championships since its inception 30 years ago, following Rafael Nadal's victory back in 2006.
Despite her hard-fought defeat, Tauson admitted during the post-match press conference, "I feel like I played not very well... I tried to give it my all. But my tank was pretty empty, unfortunately." Throughout the tournament, Tauson showcased her own skill by defeating World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka and other formidable opponents, reflecting the intense level of competition she faced leading up to the final.
Andreeva's victory signals not just personal achievement but also serves as inspiration for the next generation of tennis stars. With her coach, former Wimbledon champion Conchita Martinez, guiding her, expectations will undoubtedly be high as she continues her ascent within the ranks of women’s tennis.
After lifting the winner's trophy, Andreeva also took the time to thank herself, humorously stating, "Lastly, I want to thank me for never quitting and always believing in myself." This reflection highlights her determination and the hard work behind her remarkable rise.
Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as Andreeva embarks on this new chapter of her career, with many speculating about her potential to become one of the sport's greats.