Mirra Andreeva might be reluctant to speak out about what she wants to achieve in the new season, but one certainty is that she wants to resume her rivalry with Aryna Sabalenka.
The 18-year-old is currently the youngest player in the top 10 on the WTA Tour at ninth in the world. In 2025, she won two WTA 1000 titles in Indian Wells and Dubai, as well as reaching the quarterfinals at two Grand Slam events. Furthermore, she produced six wins over top-10 opposition during this period.
However, Andreeva also encountered struggles on the Tour during the later stages of this season after failing to win back-to-back matches in her last two tournaments. Wimbledon was the last event where she reached the quarter-finals.
Eager to get back on track, the youngster is hoping for a strong start at next week’s Brisbane International, where she will be making her third appearance.
“It is great preparation for the Australian Open. There couldn’t be a better first tournament for me,” Andreeva told reporters on Wednesday.
At the tournament 12 months ago, she fell in the semi-finals to world No.1 Sabalenka. A player whom the teenager has already played six times on the Tour, winning two of those meetings at the 2024 French Open and Indian Wells last year.
“She beat me four times already and I (have won) two. Maybe the rivalry is a little bit there but she is leading … unfortunately … for now,” Andreeva commented.
“I think we are going to have a lot of great matches in the future. Obviously I am going to have to beat some of the top players if I want to win titles.
“You beat them once or twice and then you get to know them better. In the end that is who you are going to play against during your whole career.”
Brisbane will be a stern challenge for the Russian with seven top-10 players currently entered into the main draw. Looking further ahead, Andreeva is targeting a specific goal but is not sharing it with others until she achieves it.
“I am going to keep it to myself for now. I hope when I achieve it, I will share it with you guys,” she explained.
Main draw action at the Brisbane International will begin on January 4th.
