As the 2025 WTA season concludes and the year-end rankings are revealed, one of the standout stories belongs to 18-year-old Mirra Andreeva, who has officially finished the season ranked World No9 – a milestone moment for one of the brightest young stars in women’s tennis.
The Russian’s breakthrough campaign both marks a defining moment in her career as well as highlighting the pivotal role played by the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships (DDFTC) – the scene where her journey to the sport’s upper echelon ramped up last February.
Victory in the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships saw Andreeva move into the world’s top 10 at just 17, making her the youngest player to achieve the feat since Nicole Vaidišová in 2007 and the youngest player ever to win a WTA 1000 title. Her climb has been both rapid and consistent; after finishing the 2024 season 16th in the world rankings, she made an impressive leap to break into the top 10 within 12 months.
Throughout 2025, Andreeva combined steady baseline play with smart shot selection and mental resilience, establishing herself as one of the most composed and competitive young players on the WTA Tour. While she narrowly missed out on qualification for the WTA Finals, her season included several deep runs and she followed up her title in Dubai with another at Indian Wells to underline her emergence as a genuine force within the women’s game.
Dubai: the stage that sparked her climb
Andreeva’s breakthrough came early in the season, inside the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium. Battling through one of the most competitive WTA fields of the year, she defeated higher-ranked opponents – including No2 seed Iga Świątek in the quarter-finals – to claim her first WTA 1000 title. The win saw her become the youngest champion in the women’s tournament’s 25-year history and the youngest player to win a WTA 1000 event since the format’s introduction in 2009.
Following her victory, Andreeva shared her excitement with fans on social media, saying: “Thank you Dubai. Feels so special to win my first WTA 1000 title.” The win elevated her profile on the world stage, gave her the confidence to challenge established names, and set the tone for her second triumph of the season in Indian Wells two weeks later, where she showcased remarkable poise to beat Aryna Sabalenka in the final and capture back-to-back WTA 1000 crowns.
The Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships has long been recognised as an important stop on the WTA calendar for the game’s top talents. From Martina Hingis, Venus Williams, and Justine Henin to today’s global stars such as Sabalenka, Świątek, and Coco Gauff, the tournament continues to attract and inspire the world’s best. Andreeva’s 2025 victory added to that proud legacy.
Looking ahead: DDFTC 2026 to welcome the world’s best
The 2026 Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships will once again welcome the sport’s biggest stars for two weeks of world-class action at the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Stadium. The 26th edition of the women’s WTA 1000 event runs from February 15-21 2026, followed by the ATP 500 men’s tournament from February 22-28 2026.
Fans can look forward to seeing many of the world’s Top 20 players, including reigning Dubai champion Andreeva, alongside Sabalenka, Świątek, Gauff, and many more. Tickets are on sale now, with prices starting from Dh65. For full details, visit dubaidutyfreetennischampionships.com or ticketmaster.ae
