Mirra Andreeva treasures LeBron James’ praise after Indian Wells triumph: “I’ll frame it, just like Andy Murray’s tweet”
WTA
Mirra Andreeva reflected on the message she received from LeBron James after her victory at Indian Wells. The 17-year-old made a massive leap in her career, winning two consecutive WTA 1000 titles at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships and Indian Wells, racking up 12 straight wins.
After her final in Tennis Paradise against Aryna Sabalenka (2-6, 6-4, 6-3), Andreeva revealed that she had been thinking about an old interview with four-time NBA MVP LeBron James, drawing inspiration from his words for the final.
"He was saying that even if you don't play your 100%, or even if you don't feel like you're there 100% physically, I'm going to choose to be 100% mentally," the world No. 6 said. "He said that that's what makes us champions, so I kind of tried to do the same. It didn't really work in the beginning, but with some time, in the end, I managed to overcome that, really tried to go for my shots, and act like one of the legends."
LeBron James himself caught wind of Andreeva’s comments and shared a post on social media — featuring the interview where Andreeva mentioned him — leaving an inspiring message for the teenager:
“Mirra, CONGRATULATIONS!!!!" James wrote. "Happy to have helped but honestly, YOU did THAT!! All your hard work, drive and dedication towards your craft! KEEP GOING!” He signed off with the hashtag #striveforgreatness.
This time, Andreeva commented on James’ message after her latest match at the Miami Open. She cruised through her opening round, defeating compatriot Veronika Kudermetova 6-0, 6-2, extending her winning streak to 13 matches.
In her on-court interview, Andreeva was asked if she planned to frame James’ message: “I think I’m gonna frame it. I already have Andy Murray’s tweet framed, so I think I’m gonna try to do the same because, you know, it’s always nice to have it close to yourself. I’m gonna frame it, and it’s gonna travel with me all the time.”
The world No. 6 now prepares for her Round of 32 match this Sunday against Amanda Anisimova, champion of the Qatar Open earlier this season. It will be a showdown between the only two players to have lifted WTA 1000 trophies this year.
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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