Mirra Andreeva could soon have a brand-new car to celebrate another major title, but there is one small problem: the 19-year-old does not have a driving licence. The Russian has already found a solution, however, insisting that she will have plenty of people ready to take her wherever she wants to go if she wins Sunday's WTA Finals final.
Andreeva made the admission during her post-match interview after defeating Jessica Pegula 6-3, 6-4 to reach the championship match on her debut at the season-ending tournament. Asked about the possibility of winning a Mercedes-Benz SL 55, the World No. 3 made it clear that she was not particularly concerned about getting behind the wheel.
The teenager has considerably more important things to focus on first. She has won all four of her matches in Indian Wells without dropping a set, defeating three top-level opponents in the round-robin stage before overcoming Pegula in the semifinals. She has also guaranteed herself a finish as World No. 2 in the year-end rankings, regardless of Sunday's result.
Now, Andreeva has one final obstacle between her and another prestigious trophy: Elina Svitolina, who reached the final by defeating Linda Noskova in straight sets. The Ukrainian will also be looking to avenge her opening-round defeat against the Russian, who handed her a 6-4, 6-0 loss earlier in the tournament.
Andreeva has a plan for her potential new car
During her on-court interview, Andreeva was asked whether she would watch the other semifinal between Linda Noskova and Svitolina or head to the DMV to get her driver's licence.
The interviewer reminded her that she was getting closer to winning a brand-new SL 55 Mercedes-Benz, although she would need a licence to drive it. The Russian admitted that obtaining one overnight would not be particularly easy, but she already had a solution.
"I don't think it's that easy to get a driver's license overnight, but, you know, if it happens that I get the car, I have five people in my box that can drive me around," she explained.
Andreeva then delivered the line that summed up her attitude towards the potential prize. "Yeah, I will forever be a passenger princess. They will drive me. I have a plan. First, I will go to Cheesecake Factory. Then I go to In-N-Out. Then, I don't know, everything you guys give me recommendations and they will just drive me around."
Rather than worrying about learning to drive, the teenager was already imagining trips to some of America's most recognisable restaurant chains, with five people apparently available to take her wherever she wanted.
The interviewer subsequently joked that Conchita was a good driver, assuring Andreeva that she would have nothing to worry about. She was also told that people had heard she already knew how to drive, but her preference for remaining a passenger was clearly not going to change.
Of course, the car is still only a potential reward, and Andreeva must first get past Svitolina if she wants to take it home.
Mirra Andreeva after beating Pegula to reach 1st WTA Finals Championship match “Were you gonna go to the DMV and get your drivers license? You’re one step closer to a brand new Mercedes Benz. You’ve gotta have a drivers license!” Mirra: “I don’t think it’s that easy to get a drivers license over night 😂. If it happens that I get the car I have 5 people in my box that can drive me around. I will forever be a passenger princess. I have a plan. First I’ll go to Cheesecake Factory. Then I’ll go to In N Out” 😭😭😭😭
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) November 14, 2026
Svitolina stands between Andreeva and another major title
The Ukrainian booked her place in the final with a dominant straight-sets victory over Noskova, recovering from her opening-round defeat to Andreeva to put together an impressive run of her own.
Their previous meeting could offer the teenager plenty of confidence heading into Sunday's showdown. Andreeva completely dominated their Group 2 encounter, winning 6-4, 6-0 and taking the final seven games to hand Svitolina one of her most difficult defeats of the competition.
She also defeated Sabalenka by the same scoreline, underlining just how impressive her group-stage campaign has been. Across her three round-robin matches, Andreeva lost only eight games, before adding Pegula to her list of defeated opponents in the semifinals.
The final will therefore represent another opportunity to confirm her status among the leading players on the WTA Tour. At 19, Andreeva is the youngest WTA Finals finalist since Maria Sharapova in 2004, and she could finish her first appearance at the season-ending championships by lifting the trophy.
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Svitolina, however, has plenty of experience in this situation. The Ukrainian won the WTA Finals in 2018 and has reached the championship match again after navigating a challenging group and beating Noskova in the last four. Andreeva has already secured a year-end ranking of No. 2, but another prestigious title would provide an ideal conclusion to her season.
And if she manages to beat Svitolina for a second time in the space of a week, she will have an additional reward to celebrate. She might not be planning to get behind the wheel, but her potential new car already has five people ready to drive her around.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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- Mirra's very funny words have been in my head since yesterday. "If I win the car I have 5 people in my box that can drive me around. I will forever be a passenger princess. I have a plan..." And I will never forget how she had me rolling on the floor laughing when asked how she beat Jess Pegula so handily: "I don't know what happened; It must have been the Diva in me". CLASSIC STUFF !
mandoist15-11-2026 - Can whomever has a microphone in the Final... PLEASE STOP YAMMERING ABOUT YOURSELVES NONSTOP THROUGHOUT THE MATCH???? Get a grip and STFU once in awhile so we can 'hear' the actual play on court.mandoist15-11-2026
- Martina is one of the most competent, knowledgeable, and 99.999% correct in her analysis. Most of all -- WHILE A COMMENTATOR IN MATCHES SHE KNOWS WHEN NOT TO TALK AND DISTRACT FROM THE ACTION !!! Someone please pass that idea on to Austin, Shriver, and whoever else has been f-ing YAPPING throughout the play. How thoughtless and elitist can these people be squawking nonstop throughout an entire game about themselves. STFU, please (I said "please"). Let us 'hear' the game play on court.mandoist15-11-2026
- Tennis "fans" have short memories. This is exactly who Saba always was... granted she found a 'new' persona when she began winning matches and tourneys. Off-court she's always been a racist potty-mouth. Her meanness also shines through when she thinks no one else is around. In short, the "person" you've witnessed in post-match on-court interviews is NOT who she is. As for her familiar "apologies, she can stick that routine in her racquet bags because I never believed her words nor phony "respect" for her opponents -- and I ain't buying that now.mandoist15-11-2026
- Was Saba not paying attention to those who sought an inordinate amount of attention outside of their sport (occupation)... and to the point they lost their focus and eventually their place in tennis? For example: Giorgi, Bouchard, Raducanu, etc. They became infatuated with endless Selfies, videos, podcasts, TV commercials, magazine shoots, and so on. Thus their tennis suffered. Priorities are important.mandoist14-11-2026
- I, like writer of this wonderful article, also picked Noskova to win this entire thing. I would love it if she and Andreeva are in the final.Rapunzel12-11-2026
- "Priorities", Saba... spend less time in front of cameras, anti-Social Media, selfies and back to Tennis.mandoist12-11-2026
- Tell this to Andreeva!mandoist12-11-2026
- Andreeva with 11 games in a row to add to Saba's downward spiral issue !!! Personal feelings aside... Jess Pegula may want to reassess her evaluation of Mirra's abilities.mandoist12-11-2026
- I predicted whenthe list was finalised that Linda Noskova would win the WTA Finals and her matches against Gauff and Kostyuk prove that. She is the best (underrated) player in the world!Rapunzel11-11-2026
