As the tennis world continues to marvel at the meteoric rise of Mirra Andreeva, the 17-year-old Russian prodigy has peeled back the curtain on a heartwarming moment from early in her career—a moment that reveals the camaraderie lurking beneath the sport’s fierce competition. Fresh off her historic victory at the Indian Wells Masters on March 16, 2025, where she became the youngest player to claim consecutive WTA 1000 titles since Martina Hingis in 1997, Andreeva shared a surprising tidbit during a press conference: the identity of the first WTA star to reach out with words of encouragement. That player? None other than Canada’s Bianca Andreescu, the 2019 US Open champion whose own teenage breakthrough mirrors Andreeva’s current trajectory.
The revelation came as Andreeva reflected on her journey from a wide-eyed newcomer to a top-10 force now ranked No. 6 in the world. It was back in 2023, during her debut at the Madrid Open, that the then-15-year-old received an unexpected message. “During my first tournament in Madrid, I lost in the round of 16, and even during the event, I got a message from Bianca Andreescu,” Andreeva recalled, her voice tinged with gratitude. She had just notched her first WTA 1000 win against Leylah Fernandez, a victory that turned heads and marked her as a talent to watch, but the defeat to Aryna Sabalenka in the fourth round left her grappling with the highs and lows of the pro circuit. Andreescu, then 22 and a seasoned Grand Slam winner, saw something special in the teenager and didn’t hesitate to extend a hand. “She told me if I ever needed advice or support, I could always reach out—we could chat, call, whatever I needed,” Andreeva said. “She was so kind, and she’s the first and only player who’s ever messaged me like that.”
That gesture from Andreescu, who burst onto the scene by winning Indian Wells, Toronto, and the US Open in 2019 at age 19, struck a chord with Andreeva. It’s a connection that feels almost poetic now, as Andreeva carves her own path through the tennis elite. Her Indian Wells triumph—where she toppled world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in a gripping three-set final—echoes Andreescu’s fearless ascent, and the young Russian’s poise under pressure has drawn comparisons to her Canadian predecessor. After beating Sabalenka, Andreeva fell to her knees in disbelief, later admitting, “I know what I’ve been dealing with, and I just want to thank myself for always believing in me.” That self-belief, nurtured by moments like Andreescu’s outreach, has propelled her to heights few could have predicted so soon.
Andreeva’s 2025 season has been nothing short of spectacular. Before Indian Wells, she clinched the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships in February, taking down Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina en route to her first WTA 1000 crown. At 17 years and 299 days old, she became the youngest player to reach the top 10 since Nicole Vaidisova in 2007, a milestone that underscores her relentless drive. Her Indian Wells run was a masterclass in resilience: after dropping the first set to Sabalenka, she roared back to win 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, securing her second straight WTA 1000 title and cementing her status as the WTA Tour’s fastest-rising star. Off the court, her charm shone through when she jokingly apologized to her team for being “a little brat” in the morning due to nerves—a candid admission that endeared her even more to fans.
The Andreescu connection adds a layer of warmth to Andreeva’s story, highlighting the mentorship that often goes unseen in a sport known for its individualism. Andreescu, sidelined by injuries in recent years but plotting her own comeback, has remained a vocal supporter of emerging talent. For Andreeva, that initial message was a lifeline during a vulnerable moment, a reminder that even champions face setbacks. “It meant a lot because I was just starting out, and to have someone like her notice me—it gave me confidence,” she said, her eyes lighting up at the memory. Now, as Andreeva prepares for the Miami Open, where she’ll aim to extend her winning streak to 11 matches, she carries that support forward, a quiet fuel for her ambitions.
With the tennis world at her feet, Andreeva’s revelation about Andreescu offers a glimpse into the person behind the prodigy—a teenager navigating fame with humility and heart. As she eyes a potential top-5 ranking by year’s end, her journey is no longer just about titles; it’s about the bonds forged along the way. Andreescu’s message may have been the first, but it’s clear Andreeva is writing her own chapter—one that’s captivating the sport and inspiring the next generation, just as she once was.
Leave a Reply