MADRID — Seated calmly behind a tall table in the VIP section of the Mutua Madrid Open, Mirra Andreeva surveyed the significant press corps vying for her attention. On Tuesday, over 20 reporters and photographers competed for position, captivated by her words and every subtle expression.
Just two years prior, when she burst onto the scene here as a 15-year-old, this level of pre-tournament scrutiny would have seemed surreal, perhaps even unimaginable. But that was before Andreeva`s stunning run to the Round of 16 at this WTA 1000 event, before she launched a career that already shows immense promise.
“It feels like literally a week ago,” Andreeva commented. “But, yes, of course, I’m incredibly excited to be back in Madrid. I have wonderful memories here.”
She is set to turn 18 in the coming week, but her early achievements already distinguish Andreeva as a truly exceptional talent. On Thursday, she secured a victory in her second-round match against Marie Bouzkova, winning 6-3, 6-4.
Andreeva previously won two of the season’s four WTA 1000 tournaments – achieving back-to-back titles in Dubai and Indian Wells. In both events, she defeated No. 2 Iga Swiatek and No. 7 Elena Rybakina, also beating Sabalenka in the BNP Paribas final.
How remarkable is Andreeva`s ascent? She is currently ranked No. 7 in the PIF WTA Rankings, making her the youngest player to reach the Top 10 in 18 years. Among the three teenagers in the Top 100, she is the highest ranked; the next youngest, Alexandra Eala, is at No. 72.
Typically, teenage players are still developing and often lack the physical strength and power of their older peers. Despite this, Andreeva has hit more winners (398) and aces (78) than any other player in this year’s WTA 1000 events. The truly impressive aspect is that she is almost certain to become even stronger.
A telling, almost unbelievable, statistic underscores her talent: Despite her young age, Andreeva holds a 9-9 record against Top 10 opponents.
Reflecting on that memorable run two years ago in Madrid, what did it reveal to her about her game and future prospects?
“I don’t know,” Andreeva said thoughtfully. “At that moment, I didn’t truly grasp achieving the Round of 16, how significant it was and all that. But now, of course, I reflect on it… you know, it’s not too bad, I can say.”
Something Special
In 2023, her year began with emotional moments.
Two best friends, both 15 and having grown up playing together, faced off in the Australian Open junior girls’ final. It was a challenging yet compelling match, ultimately won by Alina Korneeva after 3 hours and 18 minutes. Korneeva secured 139 points, just one more than Andreeva.
Her first professional event that season took place in April – an ITF W60 in Chiasso, Switzerland – where she won all seven of her matches, including the qualifying rounds. The following week, Andreeva claimed six more victories in Bellinzona, Switzerland, before arriving in Madrid as a main-draw wild card, ranked No. 194.
This marked her debut in a WTA Tour-level tournament.
Andreeva’s first-round opponent was Leylah Fernandez, a Top 50 player who, as a 19-year-old, had reached the 2021 US Open final. Andreeva saved five of six break points en route to a 6-3, 6-4 victory, becoming only the second 15-year-old to defeat a Top 50 player at a WTA 1000 event.
“At the time, I tried to put that match behind me,” Fernandez recalled here on Wednesday. “But there is definitely something unique about Mirra, her composure on such a grand stage. It`s never easy to play against someone younger than you – especially when I`m often considered the youngest myself.”
“I remember being 15 and how anxious I was. The way she managed those nerves and simply played, not just that year but the next, was impressive. It made you think, ‘Let’s keep an eye on her. She’s likely to achieve great things in the years to come.’”
Just twenty-four hours later, Andreeva defeated the No. 14-ranked Beatriz Haddad Maia with a powerful 7-6(8), 6-3 win.
“I’m somewhat surprised to be in the third round, but everyone kept telling me they play at the same level as I do; they are just more consistent,” Andreeva told reporters. “Their mental game is different, but the playing level is quite similar.”
Playing in Madrid on her 16th birthday, Andreeva then overcame Magda Linette 6-3, 6-3 to secure her 16th consecutive professional victory and reach 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 ultimately outmatched by the World No. 2, whose power proved decisive in a 6-3, 6-1 result. Sabalenka hit 28 winners – double Andreeva`s total.
What does she remember most about that brilliant debut two years ago in Madrid?
“I can say that I am proud of myself for what I accomplished,” Andreeva stated. “But this time, I aim for more.”
And she has certainly progressed. Andreeva later turned the tables, winning the 2025 Indian Wells final against the now-No. 1 Sabalenka in three sets.
“She is so quick with achieving results and improving her game,” Sabalenka observed a week later in Miami. “She is so young, so I cannot predict when she will become a Grand Slam winner or World No. 1 – but she will definitely be one.”
Focusing on the Now
Teenagers typically spend a significant amount of time on social media. As a result, Andreeva is well aware of the increasing expectations surrounding her.
“Many people say various things, and sometimes those thoughts creep into your mind, and you start to overthink,” Andreeva shared in Madrid. “I’ve experienced that, but I have a fantastic team supporting me. I also express my feelings, and everyone tries to help me.”
“I believe I now know how to manage this, and it certainly makes things a bit easier for me.”
Perhaps more than any other player on the Hologic WTA Tour, Coco Gauff understands the pressure Andreeva faces. Gauff had her breakthrough moment six years ago, also as a 15-year-old, at Wimbledon.
Gauff, then ranked No. 313, won three qualifying matches and was drawn against five-time Wimbledon champion Venus Williams in the first round. In what felt like a symbolic passing of the torch, Gauff defeated Williams – who was still a Top 50 player at the time – 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 young player, I had almost a naive confidence,” Gauff commented on Tuesday. “Obviously, beating Venus was unexpected, but without wanting to disrespect my opponents afterwards, I just felt so certain I would win against them. I felt it was meant to be, even though it probably wasn`t expected.”
“When you’re young, you just swing freely because no one expects anything from you. You don’t even expect anything from yourself. And then perhaps you realize that the difference in level isn’t as vast as it feels when you step onto the court.”
Before the Madrid tournament began, addressing the large media gathering, Andreeva was asked if she had received any particularly valuable advice for navigating her path to stardom.
“Someone told me not to focus on anything other than the point you are playing,” Andreeva revealed, declining to name the person. “If it didn’t go your way, shift your focus to the next point – start from scratch. That’s how I tried to play in Dubai and Indian Wells.”
Now in Madrid, the focus isn`t on a breakout performance anymore – it`s about consistently building upon her success.
Jasper Hawthorne 
Dominic Ashworth