LeBron James sends heartfelt message to Mirra Andreeva after she credits him for Indian Wells win over Aryna Sabalenka

Mirra Andreeva scripted history after sinking Aruna Sabalenka in the Indian Wells final to clinch two back-to-back WTA 1000 titles.

LeBron James sends heartfelt message to Mirra Andreeva after she credits him for Indian Wells win over Aryna Sabalenka

Mirra Andreeva, LeBron James (Image via X/ The Toronto Sun, Bron Muse)

Mirra Andreeva etched her name in record books with her Indian Wells title. On Sunday (March 16), Andreeva came from a set down to upset Aryna Sabalenka 2-6, 6-4, 6-3 to deny her the first title in the California desert with a three-set win.

It was Andreeva’s second back-to-back WTA 1000 title following the Dubai Open. The 17-year-old has been taking inspiration from basketball great LeBron James and said that his champion’s mindset has helped her stun Sabalenka.

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I just kind of kept trying doing the listening to the same videos and playing the same songs before the match and I think the only thing that I can say is I was listening to the interview of LeBron James and he was saying that, Even if you don’t play 100% or even if you don’t feel like you’re there 100% physically, I’m gonna choose to be 100% mentally and said what makes us champ’.

Mirra Andreeva told Tennis Channel

This is not the first time Andreeva credited James for her strong performance. James, the four-time NBA champion and the all-time leading scorer, lauded the youngster for her achievement and wished her the best for the future.

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Congratulations! Happy to have helped. But honestly YOU did THAT!! All your hard work, drive, and dedication toward your craft. KEEP GOING! strive for greatness.

LeBron James wrote on Instagram story

Check out his post here:

Mirra Andreeva loves playing on all surfaces

Mirra Andreeva has won three WTA singles titles so far, two on hard court (Dubai Open and Indian Wells) and one on clay (last year’s Iasi Open). Andreeva, when asked in the press conference what her favorite surface is, she said that she loves playing on every surface.

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

I can say that I have no idea what my favorite surface is. I like to play on clay, I like to play on hard, I like to play on grass. So I can say that all three of them are my favorites. I can say that I like them all.

Mirra Andreeva said

Andreeva is on a career-best 12-match winning streak. She is also the second youngest woman to defeat World No.1 and World No.2 in the last two rounds of a WTA 1000 event.

Before beating Sabalenka, she knocked out five-time Grand Slam champion Iga Swiatek in the semifinals and denied her a chance to defend her crown. She did it after Tracy Austin who pulled off the feat at the age of 16 with her win over No.2 Martina Navratilova and No.1 Chris Evert at the 1979 US Open.

Andreeva is also the youngest player to win two WTA 1000 events on the trot since Martina Hingis won the Miami Open and Hilton Head in 1997. She has so far won 19 main draw matches, the most in the season ahead of Swiatek and Madison Keys both of who have won 18 matches each.

Mirra Andreeva to play in Miami Open next

Mirra Andreeva will aim to win three back-to-back WTA 1000 events at the Miami Open. The tournament is underway at the Hard Rock Stadium in Miami Gardens, Florida.

Mirra Andreeva
Mirra Andreeva (Image via X/Tennis News TPN)

Andreeva, who received a first-round bye, will play the winner of the first-round match between Veronika Kudermetova and Wang Xinyu. She could meet Emma Navarro in the fourth round and Jessica Pegula in the quarterfinals.

Andreeva is also projected to once again face World No.2 Iga Swiatek in the semifinal and Aryna Sabalenka in the final. She will bid for the Sunshine Doubles to become the fifth woman and the first teenager to complete the feat after Steffi Graf, Kim Clijsters, Victoria Azarenka, and Swiatek.