Mirra Andreeva has made tennis history by defeating world no. 1 Aryna Sabalenka to win the BNP Paribas Indian Wells Open on March 17, 2025. The 17-year-old Russian teenager, who was considered a massive underdog entering the match, overturned previous expectations by scoring 2-6, 6-4, 6-3 against Sabalenka, marking her as the youngest champion at this prestigious event since Serena Williams did so back in 1999.
This major upset follows Andreeva's impressive semifinal win where she also stunned world no. 2 Iga Swiatek. During the finals, Andreeva initially struggled, losing the first set with relative ease as Sabalenka delivered powerful shots leading to a 6-2 victory. But Andreeva, known for her resilience, revamped her strategy midway through the match, adjusting her game to slow down the ball rallies and exert tactical control.
Andreeva’s strategic pivot included deploying deep top-spin groundstrokes aimed at Sabalenka's wide side, forcing her opponent to return with looping shots rather than unleashing her usual forehand firepower. This shift proved pivotal as Andreeva began to find her rhythm and completely redefine the dynamics of the match.
After gaining footing, Andreeva improved her serve performance significantly, achieving an impressive 80% first-serve success rate during the second set. With her combination of lethal serves and steady groundstrokes, Andreeva battled back to take the second set 6-4, setting the stage for her dramatic conclusion.
Entering the final set with renewed confidence, Andreeva broke Sabalenka at love, quickly taking the lead to assert command of the game. Sabalenka, three-time Grand Slam champion, attempted to claw back, briefly gaining momentum. Still, Andreeva maintained her composure, accumulating lead points and wrapping up the match with elegant precision—first with a formidable cross-court backhand and then sealing the deal with a sweet drop shot.
Post-match, Andreeva revealed the inspiration behind her tenacity came from none other than basketball legend LeBron James. Reflecting on his insight about mental fortitude, she shared, "He was saying...even if you don’t feel 100% physically, I’m going to choose to be 100% mentally. He said that's what makes us champions.” This poignant message fueled her determination to push through challenging moments during the match.
With her second Masters 1000 title secured—her first having been achieved just weeks prior at the Dubai Championships—Andreeva improved her season record to 19-3 and reinforced her status as one of the WTA's most promising talents. This victory earned her the title of the youngest player to triumphed over the top two ranked players at the same tournament since Serena Williams.
Mirra Andreeva's displaying cannot go unnoticed. The media praised her impressive wins over top players, citing how she has significantly improved her overall performance and is now 9-5 against top-10 ranked players since January 2024. It is worth noting she is the first player under the age of 18 to defeat both the world No. 1 and No. 2 during the same WTA event.
Andy Roddick, the former ATP star, commented on her remarkable evolution as he drew attention to the stark progress Andreeva has made, noting, "It seems like the steps she’s taking...if you miss seeing her action for a month, it almost feels like you’re going to see different at the next match.” He reflected positively on her ability demonstrating control over the match compared to earlier encounters against players like Sabalenka.
Rick Macci, who coached Serena Williams, also weighed in on Andreeva's success. He noted her impressive serve performance stating, "Her first serve is already a weapon at 17 with precision and mature visual decisions." Predictions are now rife about her potential as she prepares for her next tournament set for Miami, with Macci boldly claiming she might become one of the best Russian players ever if she stays injury-free.
Andreeva’s rise grabs attention not just from sports fans; she has begun to forge connections with celebrities outside of tennis. Her quirky decision to thank herself during victory speeches—a phrase made famous by rapper Snoop Dogg—has become part of her charm. After her breathtaking win, she thanked herself for her perseverance, humorously reflecting on the sheer difficulty of matching Sabalenka’s speed on the court.
“I tried to run like a rabbit today,” she said, reflecting on the rapid pace of the match and commending Sabalenka’s strong play. She acknowledges the psychological pressure these comparisons to legends, like Sharapova, can bring, yet embraces the performance expectations as fuel for her drive.
Now positioned firmly as both an inspiration to her fanbase and as part of tennis lore, the buzz around Mirra Andreeva's capabilities grow by the day. Looking forward, tennis enthusiasts are eager to witness how she builds upon this momentum, with great anticipation for her matches to come.
