Mirra Andreeva, the rising tennis star, credited a motivational message from basketball icon LeBron James as the catalyst for her stunning comeback win against World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the BNP Paribas Open final. James has acknowledged her victory and inspiring story.

Speaking after her impressive 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 turnaround against Sabalenka, Andreeva mentioned that she recalled an interview with the NBA legend when she was trailing in the match. This victory marks her second triumph in six encounters with the formidable three-time Grand Slam champion.

Andreeva explained, ‘He talked about how even when you’re not at your physical best, you can choose to be completely focused mentally. He believes that this mental fortitude is what defines champions. I tried to apply the same principle. It was challenging initially, but eventually, I managed to regain my composure, commit to my shots, and strive to perform like a true champion.’

On Monday, James shared a clip of Andreeva’s interview on his Instagram story, adding a personal congratulatory message for the 17-year-old tennis prodigy.

‘Mirra, CONGRATULATIONS!!!!’ James exclaimed. ‘I’m glad if I could offer some inspiration, but truly, YOU accomplished this! It’s a testament to your hard work, determination, and dedication to your sport! Keep up the amazing work!’ James concluded his message with the hashtag #striveforgreatness.

Beyond LeBron James, Andreeva draws inspiration from other prominent figures. In her victory speeches after securing her first two WTA 1000 titles, she humorously thanked herself, echoing a famous remark by rapper Snoop Dogg during his Hollywood Walk of Fame star ceremony.

In her victory speech, Andreeva playfully stated, ‘I want to thank myself again for persevering until the very end, for always believing in myself, and for never giving up.’

She also added, acknowledging Sabalenka’s powerful play, ‘I felt like I was running like a rabbit out there today. It was incredibly tough to keep pace, so I just gave it my all. That’s why I want to thank myself because I think I played a significant role in securing this win.’