Mirra Andreeva secured her first WTA Finals title on Sunday, defeating Elina Svitolina 7-5, 6-3 in California.
The 19-year-old French Open winner became the youngest champion of the prestigious event in 22 years, according to “Yahoo Sports.”
Andreeva faced significant pressure before the tournament, noting that she experienced a breakdown during a practice session due to high stress levels.
She told “Sky Sports” that her fighting mindset helped her become more brave and aggressive in important moments.
The Russian star did not drop a set throughout the tournament and lost only 26 games across five matches.
Her performance marks a significant maturation, as she previously struggled with on-court emotional control at Indian Wells, as noted by “The Guardian.”
Andreeva defeated three top-10 players during the week, including a notable victory over Aryna Sabalenka, as reported by “BBC Sport.”
Following her win, she thanked her team, which includes Wimbledon champion Conchita Martinez, for pushing her limits.
She also maintained her tradition of thanking herself for her hard work, a practice she adopted from rapper Snoop Dogg.
“I want to thank myself for always doing the hard work and for never quitting,” she stated, as documented by “BBC Sport.”
Runner-up Elina Svitolina, who returned to the top 10 for the first time since 2021, expressed pride in her own form following her return from maternity leave.
Svitolina noted that she hopes her journey inspires other athletes to believe that returning to top-level competition after pregnancy is possible.
Andreeva now rises to second in the world rankings, trailing top-ranked Elena Rybakina by 293 points heading into the 2027 season.
In addition to the trophy, Andreeva earned 2.55 million pounds in prize money and a custom Mercedes vehicle.