“I still feel like I'm 18”: Aryna Sabalenka reflects on facing teen sensation Mirra Andreeva in Indian Wells final

Aryna Sabalenka previewed her upcoming showdown against Mirra Andreeva in the Indian Wells final, where she will aim for her first WTA 1000 title of the year. The 17-year-old Russian continues to dazzle with an 11-match winning streak and is chasing her second consecutive WTA 1000 crown.

After crushing Madison Keys (No. 5) 6-0, 6-1, World No. 1 Sabalenka praised her next opponent, expressing admiration for Andreeva’s impressive results at such a young age while also joking about the age gap:

“It feels like an old mama playing against a kid. Oh my God. I’m nine years older than her,” she laughed.

Beyond the age difference, the contrast in experience and achievements is evident. The three-time Grand Slam champion shared in her recent press conference that facing a teenager doesn’t affect her mindset: “No, it doesn't matter. I passed this stage of thinking about the age of my opponent.”

“I still feel like I'm 18. You know, it's just so awkward for me to think that I'm 26 — 27 this year — and she's 17 and is, like, just two years older than my sister,” the 2023 Indian Wells finalist added. “I look at my sister as a kid. I remember her being this little baby. So I look at Mirra and think, oh my God, I'm so old. Yeah, that's just crazy,” Sabalenka joked. “I'm depressed right now. Why do you ask that question? I'm almost 30.”

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Preview WTA Indian Wells Final: Mirra Andreeva’s stunning run meets Aryna Sabalenka’s championship experience

Born in 1998, Sabalenka began her career in 2017 and holds a 332-132 record (464 matches), with 18 titles and 16 finals — including this latest one at Indian Wells. The Belarusian made her WTA Tour debut in 2017 after qualifying for the Dubai Open.

Meanwhile, Andreeva, born in 2007, has a 65-27 record (just 92 matches in her career), making her WTA Tour main draw debut at the 2022 Jasmin Open at only 15 years old. The Russian is chasing her third professional title in four finals. She also boasts an Olympic silver medal in doubles alongside Diana Shnaider.

This will be the sixth meeting between two of the best players of the year, with Sabalenka leading their head-to-head 4-1. However, Andreeva’s confidence in recent weeks has been unshakable, riding an 11-match winning streak that includes two victories over Elena Rybakina (No. 7) and two against Iga Swiatek (No. 2).

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