Before stepping onto the court to play Clara Tauson in the Dubai Tennis Championships final, Mirra Andreeva was watching a lot of LeBron James videos. Not because she is a big NBA fan but because she sought inspiration from the powerful quotes of the Lakers’ legend. Clearly, it worked for her, as she became the youngest player ever to win a WTA 1000 title. But that was not it. The 17-year-old went bang bang, pulling off another WTA 1000 triumph in the Indian Wells with a sensational victory against the World number 1 Aryna Sabaleka in the final. And, what was Andreeva’s source of inspiration again – well, LeBron James’ videos.

Andreeva’s remarkable composure and adaptability under pressure helped her turn the tables after a tough start in the Indian Wells final. Facing the world’s top seed, the soon-to-be 18-year-old Russian dropped the first set, having failed to convert any of the five breakpoints, but she displayed resilience and bounced back. Mirra’s struggles against Sabalenka’s serve continued early in the second set as well, but with strategic precision, particularly with her well-timed drop shots, the teenager finally broke through in the 3rd game, shifting momentum in her favor.

Her relentless defense and ability to vary her returns unsettled the Belarusian, leading to 3 consecutive breaks at the start of the final set. As frustration mounted for the top seed, the Russian maintained her aggressive yet tactical approach, forcing errors and seizing control. A remarkable forehand winner punctuated her decisive victory on match point, as she sealed the match 2-6, 6-4, 6-3.

In the aftermath of her success at Tennis Paradise, Andreeva elucidated her motivations. “I was listening to the interview of LeBron James and he was saying that even if you don’t play your 100% or if you don’t feel like 100% physically, I am gonna choose to be 100% mentally and he said that’s what makes us champions. So I kind of try to do the same, it didn’t really work in the beginning but than with some time in the end I managed to overcome that and to really try and go for my shots and act like one of the legends,” she revealed.

The Russian’s stunning triumph at the BNP Paribas Open cemented her status as one of the WTA Tour’s brightest rising stars. Not only did she claim the prestigious title, but she also etched her name in history as the youngest champion at the Indian Wells since the American icon Serena Williams in 1999. This victory, coming just weeks after her triumph at the Dubai Duty-Free Tennis Championships, further underscored her rapid growth. With 12 consecutive WTA 1000 wins now – an unprecedented feat for someone her age since the format’s inception – Andreeva’s meteoric rise is remarkable, to say the least.

It’s interesting that rather than any current or former tennis star, it’s a billionaire NBA legend who is constantly fueling Andreeva’s competitive spirit. For those unaware, LeBron’s current net worth is $1.2 billion, according to Forbes, but more than that, it’s his words and mindset that matter. For Andreeva, at least.

“A lot of LeBron James interviews” — Mirra Andreeva on being inspired by LeBron James

Remember last month’s Dubai Open Championship? The 17-year-old Russian found herself in early trouble against Clara Tauson in the final, falling behind 0-2. But like a seasoned champion, she fought back, breaking the Danish to level at 2-2 and pushing the set into a tense tiebreaker. With unwavering confidence, she dominated the breaker, winning six straight points before completely dismantling Tauson in the second set, leaving the Dane answerless. And, following her emphatic straight-set victory, Mirra once again credited her inspiration: NBA legend LeBron James. 

“I’ve been listening to a lot of LeBron James interviews & he said that it’s easy to be confident & play good when everything goes your way, but what makes you a champion is when you’re giving your best when you don’t feel great. So that’s what I tried to do today.” Mirra said right after the final win at Dubai last month.

With her incredible achievement at Tennis Paradise, Andreeva is set to rise to sixth in the WTA rankings, reaching yet another major milestone in her rapidly ascending career at 17. Praised by tennis greats like Martina Navratilova and Andy Roddick as a potential future WTA No. 1, the young sensation is only proving them right.

Andreeva’s journey is just getting started, yet her presence on the court is already making waves on the tour. Do you think she can continue her winning streak at the Miami Open, kicking off on the 18th?