Mirra Andreeva staying focused amid hype, aims for rare Sunshine Double

Teenage sensation Mirra Andreeva has announced her decision to refrain from social media and disregard the surrounding excitement following her victory at Indian Wells on Sunday.

The 17-year-old Russian triumphed over world number one Aryna Sabalenka, securing the WTA 1000 title in California and solidifying her reputation as a burgeoning talent in the sport.

However, amidst the relentless pace of the WTA Tour, Andreeva has had limited opportunity to relish her second WTA 1000 title, as she traveled to Miami on Monday for the upcoming tournament.

"I've had a great tournament and I'm still excited about the win. It was a great, great match in the final and I'm super happy about the win. And now, unfortunately, I have to focus on Miami and I'm going to try my best to win as many matches here," she said.

Andreeva promptly reassured local media that, despite the rapid turnaround, she was eager to compete against another formidable lineup at the Miami Open.

"Of course, I'm super excited and super pumped to be playing this tournament for the first time," she said.

The rapid turnaround indicates that Andreeva has not had the opportunity to browse through numerous messages or fully absorb the enthusiasm her victory has sparked among tennis enthusiasts.

"I would say that I just kind of stay off the social media. So, I don't really see anything or see what people are talking about," she said.

"I don't know if they talk a lot or no. So, but sometimes when it happens and I see that I receive a lot of messages or comments, you know, I just have a great team around me and they help to kind of turn it off and just spend some quality time with them.

"And if I have, I don't know, any pressure or doubts in myself, I just talk. And if they help me, most of the time they do," she added.

Although Andreeva's composure both on and off the court is among her most remarkable traits, she acknowledges that her swift ascent to the sixth position in the world still leaves her heart racing.

"I feel more ... adrenaline still and also a little bit, not surprised but I still kind of can't believe it that it happened so fast," she said.

"It was of course one of my dreams and now that it already happened of course I feel like you know what am I supposed to do now? I know of course they're the same goals -- to win more tournaments and you know to be one of the top players but now I also realize that I'm number six in the in the rankings and you know it's actually not too bad," she said.

"Of course I'm super proud of myself for that, but I try to not to focus on this and just try to focus on the matches that I have to play and on the tournaments that I have to go to," she added.

"I don't know, lately I've been pretty good with just not paying attention to that," she said with a grin.

SportsLigue