Mirra Andreeva explains why she really wants to face Aryna Sabalenka at the WTA Finals this year, ‘I am very curious’

Mirra Andreeva appears to be fully focused on the on-court drama.

Andreeva became embroiled in controversy last week following Jessica Pegula’s choice words about the Russian player and her coach, Conchita Martinez.

The teenager and Pegula appear to have squashed any potential discontent and are now focusing their attention on the WTA Finals.

Andreeva has been handed a difficult draw in Indian Wells: The youngster, seeded third, will face Aryna Sabalenka, Karolina Muchova and Elina Svitolina in the group stage.

Ahead of her first match against Svitolina, Andreeva discussed why she is looking forward to competing against Sabalenka.

Mirra Andreeva is ‘curious’ about playing Aryna Sabalenka at the WTA Finals

“Honestly, I didn’t actually know who I want to see in my group because I know no matter who will be there I’m going to really have to bring the best tennis I have and try to beat every single person that is there, because I know it is going to be extremely hard,” Andreeva told Carson Branstine on the Big T Podcast.

“But I am very, very curious to see how I am going to play against Aryna because we played last year the final of Indian Wells on these courts, so I’m just very curious to see how maybe we’ve both changed and how maybe the match is going to look like.

“But until that happens I really want to try to focus on every single point that I have to play before her. But that is the match that I think I am looking forward to.”

Sabalenka holds a 4-2 record against the young Russian, triumphing at the 2023 Madrid Open, 2024 Madrid Open, 2025 Brisbane International and the 2025 Australian Open.

Andreeva won their last contest, beating the then-world number one 2-6, 6-4, 6-3 in the 2025 Indian Wells final.

Aryna Sabalenka vs Mirra Andreeva on the WTA Tour

Sabalenka and Andreeva will have to wait until later this week to play each other for the seventh time on the WTA circuit.

Both players will contest their opening matches of the Finals on Monday.

Sabalenka will play Wimbledon finalist Karolina Muchova at 12pm local time. Andreeva and Elina Svitolina will contest their match afterwards.

The last Russian player to win the WTA Finals

It has been over 20 years since a Russian player triumphed at the end-of-year event.

A teenage Maria Sharapova won the title in 2004, defeating Serena Williams 4–6, 6–2, 6–4 in the final. It was an almighty comeback from the Russian star, who trailed Williams 0-4 in the final set, before rattling off six straight games.

The occasion marked Sharapova’s second and last victory against the American – Williams won their next 19 matches on the Tour.

“Oh my gosh, I’m still shaking, I can’t believe it,” Sharapova told ESPN after the contest.

“So many things are going through my mind right now—you know, the way I just pulled it out and stuck in there. I mean, oh, it’s crazy!”

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