MADRID — Sitting calmly at a high-top table in the VIP area of the Mutua Madrid Open, Mirra Andreeva observed the large crowd of press eager for her attention. Over twenty reporters and photographers gathered on Tuesday, hanging on her every word and subtle reaction.
Just two years ago, when a 15-year-old Andreeva first made her presence known to the world here, this level of pre-tournament media interest would have felt surreal, perhaps impossible. But that was before her incredible run to the Round of 16 at this WTA 1000 event, before she embarked on a career that shows great promise.
“It feels like literally a week ago,” Andreeva commented. “But, yes, of course, I’m super excited to return to Madrid. I have wonderful memories.”
She will turn 18 in about a week, but her early achievements already distinguish Andreeva. On Thursday, she is scheduled to face Marie Bouzkova, who won her previous match in three sets against Renata Zarazua.
Andreeva secured two of the four WTA 1000 tournaments this season – winning back-to-back in Dubai and Indian Wells. She defeated No. 2 Iga Swiatek and No. 7 Elena Rybakina in *both* events, and also beat 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 enter the Top 10 in 18 years. She is one of only three teenagers in the Top 100, with the next youngest, Alexandra Eala, ranked at No. 72.
Typically, teenage athletes are still developing and lack the physical strength and power of their more experienced competitors. Yet, Andreeva has hit more winners (398) and aces (78) than any other player in this year’s WTA 1000 events. The truly impressive part? She is likely to get even stronger.
A statistic that highlights her potential: despite her young age, Andreeva holds a 9-9 record against Top 10 players.
So, what did that memorable performance two years ago in Madrid teach her about her game and her future prospects?
“I don’t know,” Andreeva mused. “At that time, I didn’t fully appreciate reaching the Round of 16, how significant it was and all that. But now, of course, I reflect on it… I can say it wasn’t too bad.”
Something special
Her year in 2023 began with emotion.
Two best friends, both 15, who had grown up playing together, met in the Australian Open junior girls’ final. It was a tough but impressive match, won by Alina Korneeva in 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 qualifiers. 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 WTA Tour-level event.
Andreeva’s first opponent was Leylah Fernandez, a Top 50 player who had reached the 2021 US Open final at just 19. Andreeva saved five out of six break points in 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 forget that match,” Fernandez said here on Wednesday. “But there’s definitely something special about Mirra, how composed she was on such a big stage. It’s never easy playing a younger player – especially when people always consider *me* the youngest.
“I remember how nervous I was at 15. The way she handled those nerves and just played, not just that year but the next. It made you think, ‘Keep an eye on her. She’s probably going to achieve great things in the coming years.’”
Twenty-four hours later, Andreeva defeated 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 game is different, but the playing 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 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 eventually outmatched by World No. 2 Sabalenka, whose power was decisive in the 6-3, 6-1 result. Sabalenka hit 28 winners – double that of Andreeva.
What does she recall about that brilliant debut two years ago in Madrid?
“I can say that I’m proud of myself for doing that,” Andreeva stated. “But this time I aim for more.”
And she has. Andreeva would later get the better of Sabalenka, winning the 2025 Indian Wells final against the now-World No. 1 in three sets.
“She achieves results and improves her game so quickly,” Sabalenka commented a week later in Miami. “She is so young, so I can’t predict when she will be a Grand Slam winner or World No. 1 – but she will definitely become one.”
Focusing on the now
Teenagers often spend a lot of time on social media. Because of this, Andreeva is very aware of the increasing expectations surrounding her.
“Many people say a lot of things, and sometimes thoughts start creeping into your head, and you begin to overthink,” Andreeva mentioned in Madrid. “I have experienced that, and I have a fantastic team supporting me. I also share my feelings, and everyone tries to help me.”
“I believe that now I know how to manage this, and of course, it makes things a little easier for me.”
Perhaps more than anyone else on the Hologic WTA Tour, Coco Gauff understands the pressure Andreeva faces. Gauff had her own breakthrough moment six years ago, 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 – 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 blind confidence,” Gauff said on Tuesday. “Obviously, beating Venus was surprising, but without disrespecting my opponents afterwards, I just felt so confident I would win against them. I felt like I was meant to, even though I probably wasn’t expected to.”
“When you’re young, you just play freely because no one expects anything from you. You don’t even expect it from yourself. And then perhaps 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 large media contingent, Andreeva was asked if she had received any particularly valuable advice to help her navigate the path to stardom.
“Someone advised me not to think about anything else but the point you are playing,” Andreeva said, choosing not to reveal the source. “If it didn’t go your way, just reset to zero and focus on the next point. That’s how I tried to play in Dubai and Indian Wells.”
Now in Madrid, it’s not about a breakthrough – it’s about building on her success.
