Andreeva Joins Hingis and Seles: The Youngest Two-Time WTA 1000 Champions

Mirra Andreeva’s recent triumph at the Indian Wells Open marks her as one of the youngest players to achieve the feat of winning two WTA 1000 titles. This accomplishment places her in an elite group alongside tennis legends like Martina Hingis and Monica Seles, who also demonstrated exceptional talent and achieved significant milestones at a young age.

The Rise of Mirra Andreeva

Mirra Andreeva (born April 29, 2007) is a Russian professional tennis player who has rapidly ascended the WTA rankings. As of March 17, 2025, she is ranked No. 6 in singles, her career-high. Andreeva has already captured two WTA 1000 titles, winning the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships in February 2025 and the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells in March 2025.

Andreeva’s Recent Successes

• Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships (2025): Andreeva, at 17 years old, became the youngest WTA 1000 champion since the format’s inception in 2009.
• Indian Wells Open (2025): Andreeva continued her impressive form by winning Indian Wells, defeating Iga Swiatek in the semifinals and Aryna Sabalenka in the final.
• Ranking: Her victory propelled her to a career-high ranking of No. 6 in the world.
• Winning Streak: Andreeva is currently on a 12-match winning streak, securing back-to-back WTA 1000 titles.
• Beating the Top 2: Andreeva is the second-youngest player in WTA rankings history to defeat both of the Top 2 players in the world at the same tournament.

Potential “Sunshine Double”

Andreeva has the opportunity to become the youngest player ever, male or female, to complete the “Sunshine Double” by winning both Indian Wells and Miami in the same year.

Martina Hingis: A Teenage Prodigy

Martina Hingis (born September 30, 1980) is a Swiss former professional tennis player who dominated the sport in the late 1990s. She was ranked No. 1 in the world in both singles and doubles, holding both rankings simultaneously for 29 weeks. Hingis won 43 WTA Tour-level singles titles and 64 doubles titles, including 25 major titles.

Hingis’s Early Career Highlights

• Youngest Grand Slam Champion: Hingis became the youngest player to win a Grand Slam title at the senior level after winning the doubles title at Wimbledon in 1996.
• No. 1 Ranking: She achieved the world No. 1 ranking in singles on March 31, 1997.
• WTA Finals: Hingis triumphed five times at the WTA Finals, winning two singles titles and three doubles titles.
• WTA 1000 Titles: Hingis won 17 Tier I singles titles (the equivalent of WTA 1000 titles today).
• Sunshine Double: Still a month shy of her 18th birthday, Andreeva is the youngest player to win consecutive WTA 1000 events (formerly known as Tier I) since 16-year-old Martina Hingis won Miami and Hilton Head back-to-back in 1997.

Monica Seles: A Dominant Force

Monica Seles (born December 2, 1973) is a Serbian-American former professional tennis player. She was ranked No. 1 in the world for 178 weeks and finished as the year-end No. 1 three times. Seles won 53 WTA Tour-level singles titles, including nine Grand Slam titles.

Seles’s Notable Achievements

• Youngest French Open Champion: Seles became the youngest-ever French Open champion in 1990 at the age of 16.
• Consecutive WTA Finals Titles: Seles won three consecutive WTA Finals titles from 1990 to 1992.
• Grand Slam Dominance: From January 1991 through February 1993, Seles won 22 titles and reached 33 finals out of the 34 tournaments she played.
• WTA 1000 Titles: Seles won 21 WTA 1000 titles (Tier I) in singles and 4 in doubles.
• Miami Open: The Miami Open saw Monica Seles, at the tender age of 16, secure her first WTA Tier-1 title, setting the stage for her future Grand Slam success.

Andreeva, Hingis and Seles: Comparing the Young Stars

Andreeva, Hingis, and Seles all achieved remarkable success at a young age, capturing multiple WTA 1000 titles and ascending to the top of the rankings. While it is difficult to directly compare players across different eras, there are some notable similarities and differences in their early careers.

Key Comparisons

• Age: All three players achieved significant milestones before turning 18. Seles was the youngest French Open champion at 16, while Hingis became the youngest Grand Slam champion in doubles. Andreeva, at 17, is the youngest WTA 1000 champion since 2009.
• Dominance: Seles had an incredible winning percentage in her early career, winning 231 out of 256 matches between 1989 and 1992. Hingis also dominated the tour, holding the No. 1 ranking for 209 weeks. Andreeva’s current 12-match winning streak is a testament to her potential for future dominance.
• Playing Style: Seles was known for her aggressive, two-handed groundstrokes, while Hingis was known for her elegant style and tactical brilliance. Andreeva’s game is still developing, but she has shown a combination of power and finesse.

Other Young Champions in WTA 1000 Events

While Andreeva, Hingis, and Seles are among the youngest two-time WTA 1000 champions, other players have also achieved success at a young age in these prestigious tournaments.

• Jennifer Capriati: The youngest champion at the Canadian Open, winning the title at 15 years and four months.
• Serena Williams: Won her first WTA 1000 trophy at the Indian Wells Open at 17 years old.
• Iga Swiatek: Clinched the title at the Qatar Open a few months before turning 21.
• Coco Gauff: Won the Cincinnati Open at 19 years old.
• Caroline Wozniacki: Claimed her maiden WTA 1000 title at the China Open at 20 years old.
• Aryna Sabalenka: Marked her first major win at the Wuhan Open at 20 years and four months.

Conclusion

Mirra Andreeva’s emergence as a two-time WTA 1000 champion at such a young age is a testament to her exceptional talent and potential. By joining the ranks of legends like Martina Hingis and Monica Seles, Andreeva has positioned herself as one of the most exciting young stars in tennis. As she continues her career, it will be fascinating to see if she can match or surpass the achievements of her predecessors and leave her own indelible mark on the sport.