Bill Simons
Indian Wells
There’s nothing quite like it in sports. Fresh and flush with talent, a new phenom emerges. And we receive a promise – a promise of renewal.
A 15-year-old girl named Coco downs a legend at Wimbledon. A beaming teen, Monica Seles, joyously tosses flowers to her French fans. A German redhead, just 17, leaps over Wimbledon’s lawns to hit a stretch winner. And, today, giddy desert fans had a heady flush of recognition. Below them, on a vast court, a generational talent, Mirra Andreeva, was ablaze. The girl has a dazzling skill set: uncanny anticipation, fleet speed, impressive power, an underrated serve and a fearless spirit that rises to the moment and loves the big stage.
And what a stage she was performing on – the second biggest stadium in the world. Coming off of her recent Dubai Open win, Mirra was on an 11-match winning streak, and the youngest player to reach the desert final since Kim Clijsters in 2001. With a statement win over Iga Swiatek in her pocket, the Russian hoped to score back-to-back wins over the No. 1 and No. 2 players in the world.
But Aryna Sabalenka is a big headache for the kid. Mirra had suffered more losses to Aryna than to any other player. “I’m sick of playing her,” Mirra confided. “She killed me in Australia” (where Aryna beat her soundly in Brisbane and Melbourne).
Still, we soon saw the prodigy’s glistening brilliance. Hitting her backhands to the lines, she went up 30-0 in the first game and had four break points in the third.
But Sabalenka was so clutch – so fit, so experienced. The Belarusian has such Serena-like, lights-out power – such mean groundies and extraordinary serves. Plus, over many a tough season, Aryna has added speed and variety. She charges the net, she volleys well, her defense to offense play deflates her foes. Just asked Madison Keys.
On fire at Indian Wells, Sabalenka had won 15 of 17 games as she swept to a 6-2 first-set win. Certainly, this muscular heavyweight – soaring, in her prime and completely focused – would demolish the young, lean middleweight who was tennis’ current “It Girl.” Mirra was poised to be a great champion of the future – but not on this day.
After losing the opening set, the Russian blasted a ball up to the luxury suites, took a break off court and tried to reset. “Sure,” she probably told herself, “you blew it so many times when you had golden opportunities. But, c’mon, you’re just a kid with nothing to lose. Life’s a kick.”
Mirra called on her already battle-tested competitive fire. She at last got into her sublime flow: power, footwork, finesse – a backhand crafted in tennis heaven, sweet dropshots, belief, a quiet ferocity and a “She cannot do that” defense. Finally, on her eighth break point, Mirra blasted a forehand to score her first break of the match – and of the season – after 18 opportunities against Aryna. Now, everything changed. Match on.
She’s young, she has Russian grit, an Einstein-like tennis IQ, and she’s a true believer in her game. Mirra punched the bully on the chin. Aryna stumbled. Her blows were errant, she was broken twice early in the deciding set and was on the ropes. Gone were her confident rushes to the net and her sizzling winners. She lurched, she groaned, she slapped her thigh and tossed her racket.
And the Russian didn’t blink. Russians rarely do. Floating on air, blasting with freedom, she hit an inside-out forehand to score a 2-6, 6-4, 6-3 comeback win, and announce to the world that women’s tennis has a new, young, perhaps unstoppable force, who will, with a bright smile and a nasty backhand, define the game for decades.
There were many to thank for her success. An inspired tennis family, an adept coach, seamless decision-making all around. But Mirra once again honored herself. Her words mirrored her startling speech after winning in Dubai: “I would like to thank myself for fighting, for never quitting, for running like a rabbit – because Aryna was sending bullets. So that’s why I would want to thank myself, and I think I played a little part.”
More than this, the teen again showed us the beauty of a sport that, time and again, blesses us with graceful athletic savants who touch our hearts and renew our spirit.
– Also reporting Vinay Venkatesh
