Mirra Andreeva’s rise has captivated the tennis world. She first caught attention as a 15-year-old in the Madrid Open, in 2023 and broke through in 2024, winning a silver medal at the Paris Olympics and a title in Iasi. But her dream run started at the Dubai Tennis Championships this year, where she defeated the World No. 2 Iga Swiatek and the former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina in back-to-back matches to claim her first-ever WTA 1000 title. The Russian then doubled down at the Indian Wells only days later, beating the World Number 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the final and becoming the youngest ever to win consecutive WTA 1000 titles. Looks like Andreeva is on her way to rewrite tennis history and Andy Roddick is gobsmacked at her ability to turn the tables!

Andreeva showed significant improvements in her performances in the last few weeks compared to how she was playing earlier in the season when Aryna Sabalenka beat her twice—at the Brisbane semifinals and Australian Open fourth round. Speaking on the ‘Served’ podcast, the former ATP pro noted how he was taken aback by the Russian’s prowess, stating, “It seems like the steps that she’s taking, if you miss seeing her in action for a month, it almost feels like you’re going to see a different version of her a month later.”

“I didn’t know her serve was as big as it was when I watched her three weeks ago. She’s able to open up the shoulders on the forehand…cross more so than down the line,” the former US Open champion further noted the difference.

Despite losing the first set 6-2 against Sabalenka, Andreeva broke the Belarusian three times in the final set. It was a remarkable display of ball striking from the 17-year-old. Her composure stood out as she landed 80% of first serves in the second set, setting up her comeback. Roddick remarked, “She did exactly zero things better than Sabalenka and somehow just hung on long enough to turn it around.”

It’s worth noting that Andreeva has smashed an impressive 95 aces so far. Even in her showdown against Sabalenka, she fired in six aces while Aryna managed just one.

With wins at Dubai and Indian Wells, Andreeva has become the youngest player since Martina Hingis in 1997 to win back-to-back WTA 1000 titles. She is now being compared to the former Russian Pro Maria Sharapova, who won three WTA 1000 titles in one season by age 19.  And, it’s not just Andy Roddick who is getting blown away by the teenager’s game. Even Serena Williams’ childhood coach Rick Macci praised her progress, calling her a “turbo-charged Russian Rabbit” for her elite movement.

Rick Macci applauds Mirra’s rise during the Indian Wells Open

After her stellar performance against World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the Indian Wells final, the legendary coach Rick Macci is singing the praises of Mirra Andreeva. On March 18, he took to X to express his admiration, writing, “Her first serve is already a weapon at 17 with precision and a mature visual decision. She gets free lunches with aces/non-returns and shortbreads to munch on is another major weapon in the SIDE POCKET of the soon-to-be number one RUSSIAN ROCKET.” Funnily enough, Mirra herself embraced the nickname! During her post-match speech, she joked about being a “rabbit” trying to fend off the “bullets” fired by Sabalenka.

Macci’s praise, however, went beyond playful nicknames. He highlighted Andreeva’s first serve as a mature and precise weapon that has become a formidable part of her game. “She gets free lunches with aces/non-returns and shortbreads to munch on is another major weapon in the SIDE POCKET of the soon-to-be number one RUSSIAN ROCKET,” Macci wrote on X. Drawing comparisons to Maria Sharapova, whom he once coached, Macci praised Andreeva’s mental fortitude and focus as well, boldly predicting she could become a multiple-time Slam winner.

Now as Andreeva prepares for her next tournament in Miami for the Sunshine Double, she aims to continue her incredible momentum. Will she deliver a back-to-back title win? What do you think?