“I cannot predict when…” Aryna Sabalenka makes bold predictions on Mirra Andreeva’s career

Mirra Andreeva defeats Aryna Sabalenka to win the Indian Wells title, extending her winning streak to 12 matches since Dubai.

“I cannot predict when…” Aryna Sabalenka makes bold predictions on Mirra Andreeva’s career

Mirra Andreeva, Aryna Sabalenka (Image via WTA/X)

17-year-old Mirra Andreeva has continued to send shock waves through the tennis world with her outstanding run. The Russian won back-to-back WTA 1000 titles for the first time in her career. Arriving at the Miami Open, the last person she defeated, Aryna Sabalenka, has revealed that the teenager will win Grand Slam titles but she doesn’t know when.

Andreeva has been making headlines since February. The World No.6 first made a name for herself after defeating Clara Tauson to become the youngest player to ever win a WTA 1000 title since the format began in 2009. She continued with the form in Indian Wells, coming from behind to beat Sabalenka 2-6, 6-4, 6-3 in the final.

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The victory extended her winning streak to 12 matches in a row and has improved her head-to-head against Sabalenka to 2-4. Sabalenka first player Andreeva when she was just 15 and the teenager bagged her first win in the semifinals of the 2024 Roland Garros. The World No.1 has witnessed the youngster growth on the court and has been impressed.

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In Miami, Sabalenka was asked about the future potentials of Andreeva, the Belarusian revealed that the World No.6 has improved a great deal and will win Grand Slam titles. She then added that she cannot predict when she’s going to win a Slam.

She definitely improved in her game as the result shows. She’s moving well, she’s serving well, hitting some great shots. She has a touch and she’s really matured. She’s really so fast with the result and with the improvements in her game and she’s so young. I cannot predict when she’s going to be a Grand Slam winner or world No 1, but she’s definitely going to be one.

Aryna Sabalenka said via Tennis Majors

Andreeva is seeking to extend her winning run at the Miami Open. The teenage star will play the winner between Veronika Kudermetova or Xinyu Wang in the second round after earning a first round bye.

Aryna Sabalenka says young players will needs to have a strong team around them to be successful early

During Aryna Sabalenka’s runners-up speech at Indian Wells, she revealed that if she had the same support Mirra Andreeva had, she would have achieved success quickly. Andreeva has been under the guidance of legendary coach Conchita Martinez, who has established her among the WTA elite. Sabalenka expanded on that during the aforementioned interview, stressing that young players need to have a strong team around them.

Aryna Sabalenka (4)
Aryna Sabalenka (Image via WTA/X)

About the young players, I mean we’re all different and everyone goes through different challenges. I think that if you want to have the smoothest transition, you have to really surround yourself with a good team and the right people. Just so you have a healthy environment around you and then I think things are getting easier. Expanding on that idea, the world No 1 emphasized the importance of young players – particularly women – developing strong teams around them early.

Aryna Sabalenka said

Andreeva isn’t the only young star who has made a name for herself in the WTA this season. Clara Tauson and Linda Noskova have performed excellently this season, with the former winning the Auckland Classics in January.

Mirra Andreeva aiming to win the Miami Open after Dubai and Indian Wells success

Mirra Andreeva is seeking to complete the Sunshine Double following her impressive run in Indian Wells. The Russian has a big chance to claim the Miami Open following her run this season and her overall performance every match. She revealed during her press conference that she’s still aiming win the title.

Mirra Andreeva (2)
Mirra Andreeva (Image via X/The Tennis Letter)

It was of course one of my dreams and now that it already happened of course I feel like you know what am I supposed to do now? I know of course they’re the same goals — to win more tournaments and you know to be one of the top players but now I also realize that I’m number six in the in the rankings and you know it’s actually not too bad.

Mirra Andreeva said

Andreeva will likely face Amanda Anisimova in the third round if she wins her second round match. She will possibly play Emma Navarro in the fourth round of the Miami Open.