“Maybe it’s happening fast, but I like it” – Mirra Andreeva staying grounded after back-to-back WTA 1000 titles

The 17-year-old is now on a 12-match winning streak

17 March 2025

Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva doesn’t think that things are moving too fast in her tennis career, despite winning consecutive WTA 1000 titles at only 17 years of age.

Andreeva claimed her second WTA 1000 trophy at the Indian Wells Open in California on Sunday, showing impressive mental fortitude to come from behind and beat top seed Aryna Sabalenka in the final, 2-6, 6-4, 6-3.

This time last year, she was ranked outside of the world’s top 30. Two years ago, she wasn’t even in the world’s top 300.

Now, she’s on a 12-match winning streak that has included two wins over world No 2 Iga Swiatek, two over world No 8 and 2022 Wimbledon champion Elina Rybakina, and one over world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka.

But speaking after her match on Sunday, the teen says that if things are happening too fast, then she’s here for it.

“I would say that for me it doesn’t really feel like I have been playing for a long time,” she said. “Maybe it’s happening fast, but I like it.

“There is nothing bad that I can say about it. If it’s happening fast, I take it, you know. It’s not bad to win two tournaments in a row, so I’m really happy about that. If it’s happening fast, I have no idea if it is, but I’m okay with it. Yes, I take it.”

Andreeva’s team key to early success

In her runner-up speech, Sabalenka praised Andreeva’s team and said that if she had had a similar group around her at the Russian’s age, then perhaps she would have found success faster.

It’s clear that the group – particularly coach Conchita Martinez – play a significant role in helping keep Andreeva grounded.

“I can say that the whole team is being super protective,” Andreeva explained. “I think that because I have such an experienced coach, as well, she also helps me a lot, she gives me advices, how to play and also how to maybe not to spend too much time on-site or how not to waste your energy.

“I have such a good team around me, they help to protect me. They share their experience with me. I’m super grateful for that.”

Andreeva revealed that her team made a conscious effort to keep her off-site as much as possible at Indian Wells, in an attempt to keep her protected from outside noise.

“We arrive at least one hour before my practice to warm up and to do all the routines,” she explained.

“Then I practice. Then I like to have a little, not a little, maybe a normal lunch with my team when we talk, we discuss something. Then I do some treatment, recovery, and then we try to go home right away, but sometimes there are things that I have to do.

“So we try to spend as less time as possible on-site so I saved my energy for the matches and for tournaments that are long like this one. So far I think we have been doing a good job with that.”

Straight back to business

As for what’s next, it’s straight back into routine for Andreeva who says she’ll likely be celebrating her victory on a plane to Miami.

“I think that we’re going to celebrate in the airport or on the plane, because tomorrow morning we’re going to fly to Miami,” she said.

“There is not much I can do about it, because we still got to prepare and get ready for the next tournament.”

It’s a well-documented fact that players can have a noticeable dip the week after winning a title. Given that Andreeva’s first WTA 1000 title was quickly followed up by her second, it’s clear that the Russian’s level-headed approach negates this drop off.

“I think that I’m just going to do what I did before. For me, it wouldn’t matter if it’s a Grand Slam or if it’s a 1000 or a 500. I’m going to do what I did,” Andreeva said of her chances at the Miami Open.

“I’m going to stick to my routines. If it’s working, then I’m just going to do what’s working, and we’re going to see if it works on a slam or if it works on a 500 tournament.

“For me, it will not depend on which tournament I play. I’m not going to do anything different. I’m just going to stick to what I have been doing before, and we’re going to see if I’m going to succeed or not.”