Andreeva, head on her shoulders before Indian Wells: "This title in Dubai now belongs to the past"

At just 17 years old, Mirra Andreeva entered the WTA top 10 in late February after winning the biggest title of her career at the WTA 1000 in Dubai.

To claim her second trophy on the main tour, the Russian defeated Elina Avanesyan, Marketa Vondrousova, Peyton Stearns, Iga Swiatek, Elena Rybakina (losing her only set of the week against the Kazakh), before overcoming Clara Tauson in the final.

Andreeva arrives at Indian Wells as a credible outsider to win another WTA 1000. For her opening match, she will face France's Varvara Gracheva, who defeated Petra Kvitova in the first round.

Before picking up her racket again in the California desert, Andreeva gave a brief interview to the Russian media More, where she reflected on her triumph in the United Arab Emirates.

"To be honest, this title in Dubai hasn’t changed much, I’m still the same Mirra. After my victory, I felt really great, it was a big emotion. There was euphoria, adrenaline.

But now, I would say it has faded a bit. When I think back to the final, I no longer feel those emotions I had in the moment. Of course, it was incredible.

I am very happy and proud of myself and my team. But everything now belongs to the past, and we need to focus on Indian Wells. I’m just trying to keep the same mindset for this tournament. I hope to have good results here.

At the beginning of our collaboration with Conchita Martinez (her coach), we had a different approach. I listened to everything she told me, I paid attention to everything she said. I can’t say I respected her a bit more at that time, because I always have deep respect for her.

But there were moments during matches when certain things didn’t necessarily work, I was losing, but I didn’t approach her, I tried to solve the problem myself.

I then realized that it didn’t work that way. With Conchita, we had a discussion, and we decided that when I felt I didn’t want to approach her, I would look at her from afar and she would show me something.

Now, I know that if I approach her to listen, what she tells me will be useful. At first, I forced myself to do it, but it has become a habit. If someone can help me, I welcome it gladly," assured Mirra Andreeva.