Mirra Andreeva Praised by Basketball Legend LeBron James

By triumphing at Indian Wells against Sabalenka (2-6, 6-4, 6-3), Andreeva showcased the full extent of her talent.

At just 17 years old, the Russian has become the youngest player to win the tournament since Serena Williams in 1999. This achievement has allowed her to secure the 6th spot in the WTA rankings as of March 17, 2025.

Following this performance, the young player discussed how she mentally prepared herself, citing LeBron James as a source of inspiration during a press conference:

"I was listening to an interview with LeBron James, and he said that a great champion tries to be 100% mentally, even if they don’t feel 100% physically. I tried to do the same and act like one of the legends of sports."

The response from the man himself didn’t take long, as the American posted a message on his Instagram account:

"Congratulations, Mirra! Happy to help, but honestly, you did all this yourself! All your hard work, energy, and dedication to your craft. Keep going!"