Sabalenka Sends a Warning to Andreeva After Indian Wells Final Loss
Aryna Sabalenka has already set her sights on revenge after falling to Mirra Andreeva in the Indian Wells final. The world No. 1 came out strong, dominating the first set, but the 17-year-old Russian mounted a comeback to win 2-6, 6-4, 6-3 and claim her second consecutive title.
For Andreeva, this victory was particularly sweet, as she had previously trailed Sabalenka 4-1 in their head-to-head and had lost both of their earlier encounters this year. But despite her defeat, Sabalenka was quick to issue a warning, making it clear that things would be different next time they met.
Meanwhile, Andreeva took a moment of reflection, offering a public apology to her coach—former world No. 1 Conchita Martinez—for her behavior before the final.
Andreeva’s Candid Moment: ‘I Was a Brat’
As she prepared to collect the Indian Wells trophy, Andreeva couldn’t help but laugh at herself. The young champion addressed Sabalenka with kind words, acknowledging her strong performance:
“Of course, congrats to Aryna and your team. You’ve been playing amazing tennis these past two weeks. I’m sure there are a lot of positives to take from this, and I wish you the best of luck for the rest of the season.”
Then, turning to her coach’s box, Andreeva admitted to Martinez that her pre-match nerves had gotten the better of her:
“Conchita, as I always say, I know it can be tough. Today was no exception. I know I was—how you like to say—a little brat this morning. I was just super nervous, so I’m sorry for that! I don’t think I would be here without all of you, so thank you for being by my side.”
‘I Want to Thank Myself Again’
Andreeva, known for her cheeky sense of humor, once again took a moment to thank herself, just as she had after her title win in Dubai last month.
“Last but not least, I would like to thank myself again for fighting until the end, for always believing in me, and for never quitting,” she said with a grin.
She also joked about the intensity of Sabalenka’s shots, comparing herself to a rabbit trying to outrun bullets:
“I tried to run like a rabbit today because Aryna was sending bullets, and it was really hard to keep up. I just did my best. And that’s why I want to thank myself—I think I played a little part in this too!”
With this Indian Wells triumph, Andreeva continues her meteoric rise, while Sabalenka is already plotting her comeback, setting the stage for an exciting rivalry in the months to come.
