In a poignant and bittersweet moment at the 2025 Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart, 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva emerged victorious in a first-round clash against her older sister, Erika Andreeva, when the latter was forced to retire due to a knee injury. The match, which marked only the second professional encounter between the Russian siblings, ended prematurely with Mirra leading 6-2, 1-0, after just over 30 minutes of play. The victory propelled the sixth-seeded Mirra into the round of 16, but the triumph was overshadowed by concern for Erika, whose heavily bandaged right knee underscored her physical struggles throughout the contest.
The Andreeva sisters’ matchup was one of the most anticipated storylines of the Stuttgart Open, a WTA 500 event renowned for showcasing rising stars on its clay courts. Mirra, ranked No. 7 in the world and fresh off back-to-back WTA 1000 titles in Dubai and Indian Wells, entered as a heavy favorite. Her 2025 season has been a breakout, with three WTA singles titles, an Olympic silver medal in women’s doubles, and a career-high ranking of No. 6. Erika, 20 and ranked No. 97, has faced a challenging year, holding a 4-9 win-loss record and entering the main draw as a lucky loser after Ukraine’s Marta Kostyuk withdrew due to injury. Despite her struggles, Erika held a 1-0 head-to-head advantage over Mirra, having dominated their previous meeting at the 2024 Wuhan Open with a 6-3, 6-1 scoreline.
From the outset, Mirra showcased her refined all-court game, maneuvering the ball with precision to claim the first set 6-2. Her near-flawless performance included a 94% first-serve point win rate and converting all three break-point opportunities. Erika, visibly hampered by her knee, required medical attention during the match, with strapping on her right leg signaling discomfort. After dropping the first set and falling behind 1-0 in the second, Erika made the difficult decision to retire, embracing Mirra at the net in a heartfelt moment that moved the Centre Court crowd. “If she wouldn’t start playing tennis before me, I don’t think I would play that well this fast,” Mirra said post-match, her voice tinged with gratitude. “Because of her, it was easier for me to start playing bigger tournaments right away. If it wasn’t for her, I don’t think I would be playing this tournament this year.”
The sisters’ journey from Krasnoyarsk, Siberia, to the WTA Tour is a testament to their shared passion and mutual support. Both trained at the Elite Tennis Center in Cannes, France, and have navigated the professional circuit as a duo, with Mirra often crediting Erika for paving the way. Their sibling rivalry, while fierce, is underpinned by a deep bond. In Wuhan, Erika’s commanding victory was a rare highlight in a season marked by setbacks, and the sisters agreed to split the prize money regardless of the outcome—a pact reflecting their unity. In Stuttgart, however, Erika’s injury prevented a full display of their competitive spirit. “It was tough for both of us,” Erika had said after their Wuhan clash, a sentiment that likely echoed in Stuttgart as neither sister relished ending the match this way.
Mirra’s path now leads to a second-round matchup against Ekaterina Alexandrova, a formidable opponent on clay. The teenager’s confidence is sky-high, bolstered by her recent successes and a playful ambition to win the tournament’s signature prize—a Porsche sports car. “I already thought about which cars I would like to get,” she admitted with a smile before the tournament, quickly noting she still lacks a driver’s license. Her Stuttgart debut marks a shift to clay, where she reached the 2024 French Open semifinals at age 17, becoming the youngest player to achieve that milestone since Martina Hingis in 1997.
For Erika, the focus shifts to recovery. Her knee injury, which flared up during the match, adds to a challenging 2025 season that has seen her ranking slip from a career-high of No. 65 in October 2024. Despite her struggles, Erika’s resilience shone through in moments like her Wuhan upset over Mirra, where she broke her sister’s serve five times and outplayed her with a 63% first-serve win rate. Her junior career, highlighted by a 2021 French Open girls’ singles final, hints at untapped potential, but injuries and inconsistency have slowed her progress.
The Stuttgart Open clash was a microcosm of the Andreeva sisters’ contrasting trajectories. Mirra, a top-10 star with a bright future, continues to ascend, while Erika battles to find her footing. Yet, their embrace at the net spoke volumes about their shared journey. As Mirra advances, she carries not only her own ambitions but also the inspiration drawn from her sister’s trailblazing path. “She showed me the way,” Mirra said, a tribute that resonates beyond the scoreboard. For tennis fans, the Andreeva sisters’ story remains one to watch, a blend of rivalry, resilience, and unbreakable family ties.