Indian Wells, CA, USA :Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva says she feels more excitement than pressure as she prepares to defend her title at Indian Wells Open.
The 18-year-old stunned world number one Aryna Sabalenka in last year’s final to claim the prestigious WTA 1000 trophy in California, adding to her title at the Dubai Tennis Championships. However, she later struggled to maintain that level during the demanding season.
Andreeva began 2026 strongly by winning the Adelaide International and reached the quarter-finals in Dubai, where she embraced the attention that comes with being a defending champion. She admitted she had previously worried about protecting ranking points but said the feeling changed once she returned to the tournament.
The Russian also highlighted her improved mental approach, saying she now understands how to handle fluctuations in form after experiencing an “on-and-off” period during her breakthrough season.
Seeded eighth at Indian Wells, Andreeva receives a first-round bye and will face either Peyton Stearns or Solana Sierra in the second round.
