Martina Navratilova compares Mirra Andreeva to ‘this’ ATP Grand Slam champion after teenager clinches Dubai Open and Indian Wells
Mirra Andreeva came from a set down to upset World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka to win her first WTA 1000 title at Indian Wells.
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Mirra Andreeva, Martina Navratilova (Image via X/BNP Paribas, People)
Mirra Andreeva is just 17 but then age is just a number, at least for her. She has proved that with her recent achievements that she’s not a player to be taken lightly.
Andreeva arrived at Indian Wells on the back of a successful run at the Dubai Open where she clinched her career’s first WTA 1000 title with a straight-set victory over 2025 ASB Classic winner Clara Tauson. The teenager then became the cynosure of all eyes when she emerged victorious against Elena Rybakina, Iga Swiatek, and finally Aryna Sabalenka to become the new Indian Wells champion.
The win over Swiatek in the semifinal and Sabalenka in the final made Andreeva the second youngest to beat No.1 and No.2 players in the last two stages of a WTA event after Tracy Austin who did it twice as a 16-year-old by beating Martina Navratilova and Chris Evert. Following her win, Navratilova spoke too highly of her, comparing the teenager’s game to Carlos Alcaraz.
She’s a complete player, Mirra. I actually compare her to Carlos Alcaraz. She doesn’t have the power of some other players, but she hits the ball really well, down the lines — and defends. That’s what reminded me of Alcaraz. She turned defense into offense. She had Sabalenka scratching her head, ‘What do I have to do to win the point?’ That’s how people feel playing him.
Martina Navratilova told WTA
While Andreeva made headlines for her successful campaigns, Alcaraz failed to defend his title. He was a two-time defending champion but fell in three sets to Jack Draper who then beat Holger Rune to clinch his first title in the California desert.
Andy Roddick criticizes commentators over Mirra Andreeva’s antics during Indian Wells final
Mirra Andreeva was frustrated at times during her match against Aryna Sabalenka and she had also hit a ball into the crowd. According to Andy Roddick, the commentators said Andreeva should not act in such a way if she wants to beat a player like Sabalenka. This annoyed the 2003 US Open champion.
I like it. She fired a ball into the crowd yesterday, I thought it was hilarious. Petulance as long as you are self-aware after the fact [is fine]. They were like she’s showing she’s a teenager. And the commentator was like if you want to beat somebody like a Sabalenka you can’t do that stuff. I was like Sabalenka does that every match. What are you talking about?
Andy Roddick said on his Served with Andy Roddick podcast
It was Andreeva’s second victory over Sabalenka in their six matches. She was responsible for the Belarusian’s elimination at the Roland Garros last year with a three-set win in the quarterfinals.
Andreeva has now won 19 main-draw matches this season, the most ahead of Iga Swiatek and 2025 Australian Open champion Madison Keys both of who have won 18 matches each. She is also the youngest to win two consecutive WTA 1000 events since Martina Hingis lifted the Miami Open and Hilton Head title in 1997.
Mirra Andreeva to play at the Miami Open next
Mirra Andreeva will aim for the Sunshine Doubles when she kick-starts her Miami Open campaign against the winner of the first-round match between Veronika Kudermetova and Wang Xinyu in the round of 64. If she reaches the quarterfinal, she could meet Jessica Pegula.
The Russian is projected to lock horns with five-time Grand Slam champion and 2022 Miami Open winner Iga Swiatek in the semifinals. If she beats the Pole once again, she could set up a final clash with Aryna Sabalenka. Andreeva is also playing doubles along with Diana Shnaider and the pair will start their campaign against Robin Montgomery and McCartney Kessler.
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