The 2025 WTA Finals in Riyadh featured a strong Russian presence across both singles and doubles, with Mirra Andreeva, Ekaterina Alexandrova, Diana Shnaider, and Veronika Kudermetova all participating in various capacities. Andreeva and Alexandrova traveled to the season-ending championship as singles alternates, while Shnaider and Kudermetova competed in doubles. However, the tournament took an unexpected turn on Wednesday when Alexandrova was called into action to replace an ill Madison Keys, while Andreeva declined to compete despite being the first alternate on the list.
The situation raised an immediate question among fans: why did Alexandrova enter the draw ahead of Andreeva if Mirra was originally the first standby player? As confirmed shortly after, the answer came directly from the WTA. In an official statement, the organization clarified that “Mirra Andreeva chose not to compete because she did not feel sufficiently prepared today.” With that decision, Alexandrova—listed as the second alternate—stepped in and faced Elena Rybakina in the round-robin match.
Andreeva’s withdrawal did not come out of nowhere. The 18-year-old entered the WTA Finals after a difficult end to the season, losing three consecutive singles matches and narrowly missing direct qualification for the Finals by just six ranking points. Upon arriving in Riyadh, she played two doubles matches alongside Diana Shnaider, losing both and officially dropping out of semifinal contention. Her performance in those matches suggested clear signs of fatigue, both physical and emotional.
Context also matters. For a veteran player approaching the later stages of her career, appearing as a singles alternate—even in a largely symbolic match—could hold significant value: additional ranking points, prize money, experience, or perhaps a final chance to compete on a major stage. But Andreeva is only 18, and her long-term goals and career trajectory look very different. She is widely regarded as one of the biggest rising stars in women’s tennis, with expectations that she will qualify directly for future WTA Finals under normal circumstances. In her situation, forcing herself onto the court at the tail end of a draining season, while not feeling physically prepared, simply wasn’t necessary.
Based on her recent level of play, it is also reasonable to expect that Andreeva may withdraw from the remainder of the doubles competition with Shnaider, as the pair has already been eliminated from semifinal contention. Given her form, workload, and overall condition, few would be surprised by such a decision.
For Andreeva, the priority now is recovery. After an encouraging start to the 2025 season, the second half exposed the physical and mental toll of her rapid rise on tour. Taking time to rest and reset may prove essential ahead of the 2026 campaign—especially as she prepares for major tournaments, including the US Open 2026.
Despite her struggles late in 2025, Andreeva remains a name to watch next season. Her earlier accomplishments, tactical maturity, and shot selection have already set her apart from many players her age. With proper preparation and a refreshed approach, she is expected to re-enter the top tiers of the WTA Tour and challenge again on the biggest stages.
As attention turns toward the new season and the build-up to the US Open 2026, fans will be closely following how Andreeva rebounds. Her decision to prioritize health and long-term readiness may ultimately position her for a much stronger year ahead—potentially making her a key contender in New York if she regains her early-season form.
For now, her withdrawal from Riyadh highlights the challenges young athletes face in navigating a full professional schedule—and the importance of making strategic choices to protect both longevity and performance.
