Mirra Andreeva cries uncontrollably after matching 26-year Serena Williams milestone to win Indian Wells

History was made at Indian Wells on Sunday afternoon. Mirra Andreeva defeated Aryna Sabalenka to win the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells and capture back-to-back WTA 1000 titles. Andreeva defeated Sabalenka and made history in the process The 17-year-old made history by becoming the youngest woman to win the tournament since Serena Williams also did it at the young age of 17, back in 1999. Andreeva defeated the world’s #1 in three sets, 2-6 6-4 6-3. She also beat the world’s #2, Iga Swiatek, in the semifinal to get to the final. She became the first player under the age of 18 since Serena Williams (1999 US Open) to defeat a World No. 1 and No. 2 back-to-back. It is Andreeva’s second WTA 1000 title in the last 22 days, after winning the Dubai Open in February. In other words, Andreeva is on an absolute heater. After winning match point against Sabalenka, Andreeva couldn’t help but break down in tears of happiness and celebration. She was overwhelmed with emotion and shared a long embrace with her coach, Conchita Martinez. Andreeva joked with her coach after the match, about her behavior leading up to the final. “I know I was, as you like to say, a little brat, a little bit, in the morning,” Andreeva said. Andreeva and Sabalenka went the distance going blow for blow Andreeva was overcome with emotion after winning match point Andreeva and Martinez shared an emotional moment after the victory “That’s because I was super nervous. I’m sorry for that.” At the trophy presentation, she credited Sabalenka, and then made sure to jokingly give herself a pat on the back as well. “Last but not least, I’d like to thank myself,” Andreeva said. “For fighting ’til the end and always believing in me. “For never quitting. I tried to run like a rabbit today because Aryna was sending bullets.” Andreeva is on top of the tennis world. And doesn’t look be coming down anytime soon. Meanwhile, Sabalenka loses in the final at Indian Wells for the second time, also doing so in 2023. She too also kept it lighthearted after the match. “I have a love-hate relationship with this place,” Sabalenka said. “I’ll just put this trophy on top of another one and pretend it’s the trophy for winning.”

Mar 17, 2025 - 00:08
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Mirra Andreeva cries uncontrollably after matching 26-year Serena Williams milestone to win Indian Wells

History was made at Indian Wells on Sunday afternoon.

Mirra Andreeva defeated Aryna Sabalenka to win the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells and capture back-to-back WTA 1000 titles.

Russia's Mirra Andreeva speaks next to her trophy after defeating Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka during the women's singles final tennis match at the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells, California, on March 16, 2025. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP) (Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)
Andreeva defeated Sabalenka and made history in the process

The 17-year-old made history by becoming the youngest woman to win the tournament since Serena Williams also did it at the young age of 17, back in 1999.

Andreeva defeated the world’s #1 in three sets, 2-6 6-4 6-3.

She also beat the world’s #2, Iga Swiatek, in the semifinal to get to the final.

She became the first player under the age of 18 since Serena Williams (1999 US Open) to defeat a World No. 1 and No. 2 back-to-back.

It is Andreeva’s second WTA 1000 title in the last 22 days, after winning the Dubai Open in February.

In other words, Andreeva is on an absolute heater.

After winning match point against Sabalenka, Andreeva couldn’t help but break down in tears of happiness and celebration.

She was overwhelmed with emotion and shared a long embrace with her coach, Conchita Martinez.

Andreeva joked with her coach after the match, about her behavior leading up to the final.

“I know I was, as you like to say, a little brat, a little bit, in the morning,” Andreeva said.

Russia's Mirra Andreeva returns the ball to Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka during the women's singles final tennis match at the BNP Paribas Open at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden in Indian Wells, California, on March 16, 2025. (Photo by Patrick T. Fallon / AFP) (Photo by PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)
Andreeva and Sabalenka went the distance going blow for blow
Andreeva was overcome with emotion after winning match point
INDIAN WELLS, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 16: (L-R) Mirra Andreeva of Russia celebrates with coach Conchita Martinez after defeating Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus during the Women's Singles Final of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 16, 2025 in Indian Wells, California. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Andreeva and Martinez shared an emotional moment after the victory

“That’s because I was super nervous. I’m sorry for that.”

At the trophy presentation, she credited Sabalenka, and then made sure to jokingly give herself a pat on the back as well.

“Last but not least, I’d like to thank myself,” Andreeva said.

“For fighting ’til the end and always believing in me.

“For never quitting. I tried to run like a rabbit today because Aryna was sending bullets.”

Andreeva is on top of the tennis world.

And doesn’t look be coming down anytime soon.

Meanwhile, Sabalenka loses in the final at Indian Wells for the second time, also doing so in 2023.

She too also kept it lighthearted after the match.

“I have a love-hate relationship with this place,” Sabalenka said.

“I’ll just put this trophy on top of another one and pretend it’s the trophy for winning.”