In Madrid, Mirra Andreeva sat composedly behind a high table in the VIP area at the Mutua Madrid Open, observing the significant media presence vying for her attention. More than twenty journalists and photographers crowded around on Tuesday, captivated by her statements and every subtle expression.
Just two years prior, when she was a 15-year-old making her introduction here, this level of pre-tournament focus would have felt surreal, perhaps even unattainable. However, that was before Andreeva`s remarkable run to the Round of 16 at this WTA 1000 event, before she launched a career that shows considerable promise.
“It feels like just last week,” Andreeva remarked. “But, yes, I’m really excited to come back to Madrid. I have wonderful memories.”
She is set to turn 18 in a week, but her accomplishments at a young age already distinguish Andreeva notably. On Thursday, she defeated Marie Bouzkova 6-3, 6-4 in a second-round match.
Andreeva has already won two of the season`s four WTA 1000 tournaments – securing consecutive titles in Dubai and Indian Wells. In both instances, she overcame top players, defeating World No. 2 Iga Swiatek and World No. 7 Elena Rybakina, and also beat Sabalenka in the BNP Paribas final.
Just how remarkable is Andreeva’s ascent? She currently holds the World No. 7 spot in the PIF WTA Rankings, making her the youngest player to enter the Top 10 in 18 years. She is one of only three teenagers in the Top 100, with the second youngest, Alexandra Eala, ranked much lower at No. 72.
Typically, teenagers are still developing and may lack the physical strength and power of more experienced players. Despite this, Andreeva has recorded more winners (398) and aces (78) than any other player in this year’s WTA 1000 events. The impressive part is that she is almost certain to become even stronger.
One nearly unbelievable statistic that is quite telling: Despite her tender age, Andreeva has compiled a 9-9 record against Top 10 opponents.
So, what did that impactful performance two years ago in Madrid reveal to her about the state of her game and her future prospects? “I don’t know,” Andreeva pondered. “At that moment, I didn’t truly consider reaching the Round of 16, how great it is and all that. But now, of course, I think about it … it’s not too bad, I can say.”
Something special
In 2023, her year began with tears.
Best friends, 15-year-olds who had grown up playing the game together, met in the Australian Open junior girls’ final. It was a difficult yet beautiful match, won by Alina Korneeva after 3 hours and 18 minutes. Korneeva secured 139 points, just one more than Andreeva.
Her first professional tournament that season was in April – an ITF W60 in Chiasso, Switzerland – where she won all seven of her matches, including qualifying. The following week, Andreeva won all six matches in Bellinzona, Switzerland, before arriving in Madrid as a main-draw wild card, ranked No. 194.
This was to be her first event at the WTA Tour level.
Andreeva’s first-round opponent was Leylah Fernandez, a Top 50 player who reached the 2021 US Open final in her first week as a 19-year-old. Andreeva saved five of six break points on her way to a 6-3, 6-4 victory, becoming only the second 15-year-old to defeat a Top 50 player in a WTA 1000 tournament.
“At the time, I tried to forget that match,” Fernandez said recently. “But there’s definitely something special about Mirra, the way she was able to stay composed on such a big stage. It’s never easy to play a player younger than you – especially when I am often considered the youngest one.” Fernandez added, “I remember how nervous I was at 15. The way she managed those nerves and just played, not only that year but the next. It was like, ‘Keep an eye on her. She’s probably going to do great things in the coming years.’”
Twenty-four hours later, Andreeva impressively defeated the No. 14-ranked Beatriz Haddad Maia with a strong 7-6(8), 6-3 win.
“I’m a bit surprised to be in the third round, but also everyone was telling me they play at the same level as you, they are just more consistent,” Andreeva told reporters. “Their mental level is different, but the game-level is almost the same.”
Playing in Madrid on her 16th birthday, Andreeva then beat Magda Linette 6-3, 6-3 to secure her 16th consecutive professional victory and advance to the Round of 16 against the reigning Australian Open champion, Aryna Sabalenka.
Andreeva, the youngest player ever to reach a WTA 1000 Round of 16, was unable to match the World No. 2, whose power was the deciding factor in a 6-3, 6-1 result. Sabalenka hit 28 winners, double the number hit by Andreeva.
What does she recall about that spectacular debut two years ago in Madrid? “I can say that I’m proud of myself for what I did,” Andreeva stated. “But this time, I want to achieve more.”
And she has. Andreeva would later win the 2025 Indian Wells final against the now-World No. 1 Sabalenka in three sets.
“She gets results and improves her game so fast,” Sabalenka commented one week later in Miami. “She is so young, so I cannot predict exactly when she is going to be a Grand Slam winner or World No. 1 – but she is definitely going to be one.”
Focusing on the Present
Teenagers typically devote significant time and energy to social media. As a result, Andreeva is very aware of the increasing expectations placed upon her. “Many people say a lot of things, and sometimes thoughts crawl into your head, and you sometimes start to overthink,” Andreeva shared in Madrid. “I’ve experienced that, and I have a great support team around me. I also share my feelings, and everyone is trying to help me.” She added, “I think that now I know how to handle this, and of course, it makes it a little easier for me.”
Perhaps more than any other player on the Hologic WTA Tour, Coco Gauff understands the burden Andreeva carries. Gauff had her own breakthrough moment six years ago, also as a 15-year-old at Wimbledon. Ranked No. 313, Gauff won three qualifying matches and was drawn against five-time Wimbledon champion Venus Williams in the first round. In what felt like a genuine passing of the torch, Gauff defeated Williams, then still a Top 50 player, 6-4, 6-4. She advanced all the way to the Round of 16 before losing to the eventual champion, Simona Halep.
“I think as a child I had almost blind confidence,” Gauff reflected. “Obviously, beating Venus was a shock, but without disrespecting my subsequent opponents, I just felt so confident I was going to win against them. I felt like I was supposed to, even though I probably wasn’t.” Gauff continued, “When you’re young, you’re just out there swinging freely because no one is expecting you to do anything. You’re not even expecting yourself to do anything. And then maybe you realize that the level isn’t as far away as it feels when you step onto the court.”
Before the Madrid tournament began, addressing the crowded media, Andreeva was asked if she had received any particularly helpful advice for navigating the path to stardom. “Someone told me not to think about anything else but the point you’re currently playing,” Andreeva said, declining to name the person. “If it didn’t go your way, focus on the next point – starting from zero. That’s how I tried to play in Dubai and Indian Wells.”
Now back in Madrid, the focus isn`t just on a single breakout performance, but on consistently delivering at a high level.
Rupert Caldwell