Mirra Andreeva, the sixth seed, etched her name into history at Indian Wells, delivering a stunning upset against the top seed in a thrilling 2-6, 6-4, 6-3 final. This victory catapulted her to several extraordinary achievements: she became the third-youngest champion in the tournament’s history and the second-youngest to defeat both the world’s number one and two seeds at a WTA 1000 or Grand Slam event. Andreeva’s post-match speech, highlight her resolute self-affirmation, “I’d like to thank myself. For fighting till the end and always believing in me. For never quitting.” Beyond her undeniable talent and back-to-back “WTA 1000” triumphs, a significant factor in her success was her connection with Bianca Andreescu.
Mirra Andreeva’s professional journey began at the 2022 Jasmin Open in Monastir, where she faced a tough three-set loss to fellow Russian Anastasia Potapova. However, her breakthrough moment arrived at the 2023 Madrid Open. There, she secured her first main tour victory, defeating 2021 US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez. Andreeva’s impressive run continued, propelling her to the fourth round, where she ultimately fell to Aryna Sabalenka. 2 years later, in a pre-tournament press conference at the WTA 1000 Miami Open, Mirra Andreeva disclosed that Bianca Andreescu, the 2019 US Open champion, was among the very few players who offered her support during that period.
On March 19th, one of the Canadian tennis insiders Stephen Boughton took to X to share, “From one teenage Indian Wells champ to another. Mirra Andreeva when asked about players who helped her when she was young(er) on the tour (asked by Howard Fendrich),” alongside a revealing picture that sheds light on Mirra Andreeva’s heartfelt appreciation for the player who stood by her.
“It was my first tournament in Madrid and it was kind of a breakthrough tournament and I lost in the R16 and after, I think even during the tournament I got a message from Bianca Andreescu and she was actually the first one and I think the only female tennis player that texted me and she said that if I need any advice or any support I can always reach out to her and we can have a chat or a call or whatever, so she was super nice about it. She also texted me after I won the tournament [Indian Wells] she told me some nice words,” read the excerpt from the interview.
From one teenage Indian Wells champ to another.
Mirra Andreeva when asked about players who helped her when she was young(er) on the tour (asked by Howard Fendrich): pic.twitter.com/hBOLsj1pMn
— Stephen Boughton (@theslicestephen) March 18, 2025
The Canadian took the tennis world by storm in 2019, clinching two WTA 1000 titles: the “Canadian Open” and the “BNP Paribas Open”, before capping off her dream run with a historic US Open victory later that year. However, injuries have since plagued the 24-year-old’s career, keeping her sidelined for much of 2023 and 2024.
This year, her anticipated return at the “WTA 500” event in Merida was derailed by an emergency appendectomy following severe abdominal pain. While she has yet to confirm her official comeback tournament, recent training sessions suggest the Canadian star is gearing up for a long-awaited return to the center court.
Although the Russian player expressed gratitude to her Canadian counterpart, she is now turning her focus to the Miami Open. Ahead of her opening match, she shared her thoughts on the expectations she holds for this tournament.
Mirra Andreeva about winning the Miami Open
Since her impressive debut in 2023, Andreeva has taken her game to another level in the tours, firmly establishing herself among the elite. After a 4th-round run at the AO, she secured the biggest title of her career at the Dubai Open, a “WTA 1000” event, propelling her into the top 10. Her dominance continued at Indian Wells, where she stormed past three GS champions, including a commanding victory over 2022 Wimbledon Champion Elena Rybakina, who managed to claim only three games against her in the R16.
Andreeva’s real statement, however, came in the semifinals and final, where she outlasted two of the best in the current WTA roaster. Not only is she is now the youngest player ever to win a WTA 1000 title, but she’s also the youngest to win back-to-back trophies at this level since ‘Martina Hingis’ in 1997. Riding a 12-match win streak, Andreeva now leads the tour in match wins this season with 19, proving that her reign has well and truly begun at the center court. She has now clarified her expectations for winning the tournament.
“Of course this would be an amazing achievement for me. I know that not a lot of people did it. So you know I don’t know if I can do it. But of course I am going to try my best as always and if it happens then I am going to be super super and if it doesn’t I mean I had a couple of great tournaments already I have planti to things to be proud of so, if I don’t do this this year then I will try to do it next year if not next year then in two years so I have plenty of time to try to do it and if it a doesn’t happen now then I am sure I am going to try my best to make it happen in the future,” Mirra said.
Andreeva, seeded 11th, will make her Miami Open debut against fellow 27-year-old Russian Veronika Kudermetova, a former world No. 8. Can she carry her Indian Wells momentum and win back-to-back titles? Share your predictions below!
The post ‘Only Female Player That Texted Me’- Mirra Andreeva Heartily Credits 24YO WTA Pro for Being Her Support System appeared first on EssentiallySports.
