Russian teen Andreeva focused on the job as WTA ranking rises

Mirra Andreeva plays a forehand in her third-round victory over Clara Tauson at Indian Wells (CLIVE BRUNSKILL)

Mirra Andreeva's rise in the WTA rankings has accelerated so quickly that the 17-year-old Russian can't keep track.

She cracked the top 10 -- reaching No. 9 -- when she triumphed in Dubai last month to become the youngest-ever WTA 1000 champion, beating Grand Slam champions Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina along the way.

She was ranked 11th when she arrived at Indian Wells, but after beating Rybakina again in the fourth round and topping Elina Svitolina in the quarter-finals she'll be headed back to the top 10 again.

She wasn't aware, because unlike last year -- when she'd been promised she could get a dog if she broke into the top 20 -- she wasn't paying very close attention.

"Before, I was always checking live rankings because before I was playing for a dog," Andreeva said. "So after every match I play I would check the live rankings to see if I did it."

The top-20 breakthrough came afer she beat Magda Linette in Beijing last October, and Andreeva is still deciding exactly what kind of dog to get.

"I'm thinking to get an ultra mini labradoodle," she said. "It's going to be a labrador mixed with poodle and it's ultra min, so going to be even smaller than a mini version. It's going to take time until the dog that I want will be born."

In the meantime, she's less focused on her ranking and more "on the match I have to play".

Andreeva will have a chance to back up another big win when she faces defending champion Swiatek in the Indian Wells semi-finals, although she knows her unexpected triumph in Dubai "doesn't give me any benefit to our match (on Friday)."

The youngster who says she takes inspiration from sporting greats ranging from Roger Federer to LeBron James said tennis has gradually become a more serious affair for her.

"When I was a bit younger it would all be about having fun," she said. "But now I start to understand that it's pretty serious what I do out here.

"I feel like when I have fun on the court I play great tennis, so I still try to not be super, super serious but also to have fun a little bit."

bb/rcw

Topics

Inside Mirra Andreeva's meteoric rise in 2025

Andreeva accurately predicted she'd win her first 1000-level tournament this year.
ESPN - 1d
Swiatek to face Andreeva in Indian Wells semis

Defending champion Iga Swiatek sets up an Indian Wells semi-final against teenager Mirra Andreeva, while top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka faces Madison Keys.
BBC News - 7h
SEC Power Rankings: New No. 1 team emerges entering conference play

The latest SEC baseball power rankings see a new No. 1 team rise to the top entering the start of conference play this weekend.
Yahoo Sports - 1h
Positive Job Numbers in February Don’t Erase Worries About the Economy

Official data showed businesses added 151,000 new jobs last month, outpacing January but unlikely to allay rising fears of slowing growth.
Inc. - Mar. 7
NASA Eliminates Chief Scientist and Other Jobs at Its Headquarters

About 19 positions will be cut, including those in offices focused on technology policy and diversity, equity and inclusion.
The New York Times - 3d
Employers grapple with what makes a desirable workplace

Job candidates cite pay as a priority but the highest-ranked companies also seek to offer a sense of purpose
Financial Times - 4d
Tomorrow's Top 25 Today: Duke poised to leap Auburn for No. 1 spot in college basketball rankings

Florida and St. John's could also rise in this week's top 10 as part of a shakeup near the top
CBS Sports - 4d
With Allen's personal and financial life set, Bills QB focuses on unfinished business — Super Bowl

With Josh Allen's personal and financial life set, the NFL MVP is focusing his attention on unfinished business: leading the Buffalo Bills to a Super Bowl title
ABC News - 1d
Top 25 rankings, play of the week and what to watch

Here are the latest top 25 rankings, plus what we're watching this week.
ESPN - 3d