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Tennis Star Locked Out of Spending $1.1 Million Prize Money by Her Own Father

Originally posted on The Spun | By Stuart Ballard | Last updated Mar 21, 2025 1:43 PM ET

Russian tennis star Mirra Andreeva took her career winnings to $4.71 million after winning the Indian Wells title on Sunday, but she's currently unable to access any of that prize money.

The 17-year-old has emerged as one of the brightest young talents on the WTA Tour after first breaking onto the scene at Wimbledon in 2023.

A run to the semifinals of the French Open last year only further highlighted her credentials as a future star.

Mirra Andreeva reached her first Grand Slam semifinal at Roland Garros in 2024.Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

And Andreeva has begun the 2025 season in style by becoming the youngest tennis star to win a WTA 1000 title in Dubai last month.

She quickly followed that up with another huge shock over world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka to clinch the BNP Paribas Open title in Indian Wells, California.

Her latest victory saw Andreeva add $1.1 million to her career earnings, but Russian bank laws prevent her from having access to the funds. Andreeva revealed that her father has been managing her finances since she turned professional in 2022.

"All questions to my dad," Andreeva told the press after her win in Dubai last month. "It all goes on his credit card because I don’t have my own yet. I cannot have my own bank account because I’m not 18."

Andreeva also joked that she wasn't going to try and ask permission for a big purchase after her success.

"I’m hoping that he will leave me some to spend somewhere, to buy chips and Coke.

“Yeah, I don't know. I'm going to ask him.”

Andreeva won't have to wait much longer before she can open up her own bank account and take control of her finances as she will turn 18 on April 29.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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