The teen prodigy backed by Billie Jean King to top the tennis world

Tennis legend Billie Jean King, renowned for her transformative impact on women's tennis, has set her sights on the sport's next big thing: Mirra Andreeva. In a recent interview, King boldly predicted that the 18-year-old Russian sensation is destined to become the world's No. 1 player.

King's endorsemeent comes after a remarkable twelve months for Andreeva, who has quickly established herself as one of the WTA Tour's most exciting prospects. In early 2025, Andreeva captured the tennis world's attention by winning back to back titles at the Dubai Tennis Championships and the prestigious Indian Wells Open. These victories propelled her into the WTA Top 10, making her the youngest player to achieve that feat in nearly 18 years.

King's praised Andreeva's atheticism, tactical intelligence, and mental resilience, noting, "This kid wants to be number one and she will be, as long as she stays healthy. She's an amazing athlete. This words carry significant weight, given the American legend's status as one of the icons of women's tennis, with decades of experience witnessing the evolution of the sport.

Andreeva's 2024 season was definitely her breakthrough year, highlighted by her stunning run to the French Open semi-finals, defeating Aryna Sabalenka in a three-set thriller before falling to Italy's Jasmine Paolini.

Since that Grand Slam milestone, Mirra Andreeva has continued her upward trajectory. During the clay-cour European Swing, the Russian reached the quarter-finals in both Madrid and Rome, with both campaigns ending at the hands of world's No. 2, Coco Gauff. Her consistent deep runs at major tournaments have solidified her position as a genuine contender in the biggest stages.

As the 2025 edition of Roland Garros approaches, Andreeva enters as a Top 10 player for the first time. Tennis fans and experts alike are eager to see if she can replicate or surpass her previous feat in Paris. With her blend of power, finesse and maturity beyond her young age, Andreeva is not the future of women's tennis, she is its thrilling present.

Billie Jean's prediction may soon become a reality, as Andreeva continues to inspire the next generation.