Tennis

Indian Wells: Teenage sensation Mirra Andreeva emulates Serena Williams and other legends with historic win

Rising star Mirra Andreeva defeated World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka to claim the title at Indian Wells. With the win, she joins Serena Williams, Steffi Graf and Martina Hingis in some impressive stats.

Mirra Andreeva wins Indian Wells 2025 after defeating Aryna Sabalenka
Ā© Clive Brunskill/Getty ImagesMirra Andreeva wins Indian Wells 2025 after defeating Aryna Sabalenka

Seventeen-year-old Mirra Andreeva has become the 2025 Indian Wells champion after defeating World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, coming back from a set down (2-6, 6-4, 6-3). With the victory, the Russian star not only adds a new trophy to her cabinet but also matches historic feats achieved by Serena Williams, Martina Hingis and Steffi Graf.

Andreeva, who recently won the Dubai title, is now the third youngest player ever to win Indian Wells, just behind Williams and Hingis. The younger Williams sister claimed the tournament at 17 years, 283 days, while Andreeva did so at 17 years, 309 days.

She is also the third player to defeat both the World No. 2 and World No. 1 en route to a title after Serena Williams did it at the 1999 US Open, and Steffi Graf in the 1987 French Open. If that wasn’t enough, she is also the youngest player to win back-to-back WTA 1000 events since 16-year-old Hingis in 1997.

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Andreeva secured the title by navigating a challenging draw. In addition to consecutive victories over the top two seeds, Iga Swiatek and Sabalenka, she also defeated Varvara Gracheva, 22nd seed Clara Tauson in a rematch of the Dubai final, 7th seed Elena Rybakina, and 23rd seed Elina Svitolina.

Mirra Andreeva celebrates match point against Aryna Sabalenka at Indian Wells (Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

Mirra Andreeva celebrates match point against Aryna Sabalenka at Indian Wells (Matthew Stockman/Getty Images)

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After lifting the trophy, the 17-year-old thanked her team, led by Conchita Martinez, as well as herself. ā€œLast but not least, I’d like to thank myself,ā€ she said, prompting laughter and cheers from the crowd. ā€œFor 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,ā€ she joked.

She was World No. 1, won three Grand Slams, was compared to Federer and retired at only 25: ā€˜The fire died inside’

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Coached by Conchita MartĆ­nez, Andreeva makes the Top 6

Conchita Martinez, a former World No. 2 and Wimbledon champion, coaches the Russian star. The Spanish legend previously worked with GarbiƱe Muguruza, guiding her to the 2017 Wimbledon title, as well as Karolina Pliskova.

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With her victory, Andreeva will rise to No. 6 in the world, having entered the Top 10 for the first time last week after her Dubai win. The teenager is also one of the most consistent players on tour, currently holding the most wins in 2025 (19).

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