Seventeen-year-old Mirra Andreeva has made history at the 2025 Indian Wells championship by defeating World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka. The young Russian star triumphed after coming back from losing the first set, bringing home the trophy with final scores of 2-6, 6-4, 6-3. This remarkable achievement adds to Andreeva's accolades, including her recent victory at the Dubai Tennis Championships, solidifying her place among tennis legends.
With her win at Indian Wells on March 16, 2025, Andreeva becomes the third youngest player to ever secure the title, second only to Serena Williams and Martina Hingis. At 17 years and 309 days old, she now joins Williams, who won the title at 17 years and 283 days old, and Hingis, who previously held the record. Andreeva's newfound status as the third player to defeat both the World No. 2 (Iga Swiatek) and World No. 1 (Sabalenka) on her way to victory puts her achievements on par with historic champions such as Serena Williams, who did it at the 1999 US Open, and Steffi Graf during the 1987 French Open.
Andreeva continues to impress the tennis world not only with her performances but also her playful attitude off the court. After her win, she thanked her team and humorously emphasized her own tenacity, saying, “Last but not least, I’d like to thank myself for fighting till the end and always believing in me. For never quitting. I tried to run like a rabbit today because Aryna was sending bullets.” This lighthearted moment during the trophy presentation endeared her to fans and showcased her commitment to the sport.
Now coached by former World No. 2 and Wimbledon champion Conchita Martínez, Andreeva's rise has been meteoric. With the victory at Indian Wells, she will rise to No. 6 in the world rankings, marking her first entry to the Top 10 just last week. This triumph also makes her the youngest player since Hingis at 16 years old to win back-to-back WTA 1000 titles.
Her path to the title at Indian Wells wasn’t easy. The young star faced significant hurdles, defeating Varvara Gracheva, Clara Tauson, Elena Rybakina, and Elina Svitolina, along with her notable wins against Swiatek and Sabalenka. Each success adds to her resilience and growing legacy on the WTA tour.
The championship match against Sabalenka was filled with tense moments as Andreeva battled back after losing the first set. The Californian crowd watched with bated breath as she showcased phenomenal athleticism and determination. “I’d like to thank myself for fighting until the end, for always believing and for never quitting,” Andreeva reiterated, drawing cheers and laughter from the audience.
Andreeva's accomplishments have ignited discussions among fans and pundits alike. Many are comparing her to legends of the sport, sparking conversations about whether she could be the next great player to follow the footsteps of icons like Serena Williams and Martina Hingis. Fans took to social media to express their excitement, with some even claiming she is on the path to becoming the 'GOAT' (Greatest of All Time).
“She is going to absolutely annihilate women’s tennis for the next decade,” tweeted one enthusiastic supporter. Another added, “Her future is shining bright.” With such backing, Andreeva's future looks promising as she heads toward the Miami Open, where she has the chance to become the youngest player to complete the Sunshine Double, achieving victories at both Indian Wells and Miami within the same year.
Standing at 6th position now, this remarkable feat is just the beginning for Andreeva, as she continues to stamp her name within the annals of tennis history. The 2025 season has already proved fruitful, and as her career progresses, fans are left to wonder just how high this rising star will soar.
