BEIJING -- Mirra Andreeva reflected on a challenging 2025 Asian Swing, describing it as a "nightmare". At that time, she was in a strong position to qualify for the 2025 WTA Finals in Riyadh, holding the eighth spot. However, after a 2-2 record at tournaments in Beijing, Wuhan, and Ningbo, her lead diminished. Elena Rybakina, fresh off a victory in Ningbo, was catching up quickly.

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When Andreeva opted out of the Tokyo tournament, Rybakina seized the opportunity, knowing she needed to reach the semifinals to qualify. Rybakina ultimately achieved this and went on to win her first WTA Finals championship.

"I think we all know that I just messed up big time," Andreeva said to wtatennis.com. She acknowledged that Rybakina performed successfully in her qualifying matches and tournaments. "You learn from your mistakes sometimes, and it was disappointing to see Rybakina win."

This year, Andreeva has avoided repeating those missteps. In Beijing, she secured her spot at the WTA Finals in Indian Wells, marking a significant achievement in her career. At 19, she is enjoying her best season on the WTA Tour, highlighted by a Grand Slam title at Roland Garros, where she won the Coupe Suzanne-Lenglen in Paris. She also claimed titles in Adelaide and Linz and reached finals in Madrid and Beijing.

Andreeva acknowledged the strategic choices she made throughout the season, opting to focus on performance rather than playing every week. "Having my experienced team around me has been crucial for how to manage my energy, which helped me qualify for the finals," she noted.

Despite her success, Andreeva initially didn't think about the WTA Finals until she was competing in Beijing. Until that point, her focus was on preparing for major tournaments. After reaching the finals in Beijing, she adjusted her plans and decided to skip Wuhan, looking forward to competing in Indian Wells instead.

"At the start of the year, I didn’t consider the finals at all. But once the Beijing tournament started, I began to think about it, doing a little math regarding points needed to qualify," she said.

Andreeva's remarkable 2026 season has included 50 wins out of 66 matches. She is eager to return to Indian Wells, a venue where she previously won her second WTA 1000 title in 2025. This time, she is excited about the smaller contingent of competitors, which signifies her ascent among the top players.

"I've never been there in the fall, so it's interesting to see it without the full tournament atmosphere, just a smaller group of players. I'm really looking forward to it," Andreeva said.

As she prepares for Indian Wells, she faces the challenge of competing against top-ranked players in every match. "Every match will require 150% of your focus, mentally and physically. It's going to be tough, but I'm excited to embrace it, as I've worked hard all year for this opportunity."