Aryna Sabalenka says she won't be thinking about Mirra Andreeva's age when they meet in the Indian Wells final but also adds that the question made her feel "depressed" because it reminded her that she is "so old."
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The Belarusian tennis star, who will turn 27 in early May, is set to meet the 17-year-old Russian star for the Indian Wells title. So far, Sabalenka has been pretty successful against the teenage sensation, winning four of their five clashes - including their meetings at this year's Brisbane International and the Australian Open.
However, the circumstances are a bit different this time since Andreeva recently became a WTA 1000 champion in Dubai and has since improved her winning streak to 11 wins in a row and come one victory away from being a two-time WTA 1000 champion at the age of 17.
Sabalenka asked if she feels pressure of not wanting to lose to a kid
"No, it doesn't matter. I passed this stage of thinking about the age of my opponent. It just, you know -- I don't know. I still feel like I'm 18. You know, it's just so awkward for me to think that I'm 26 and 27 this year, and she's 17 and is, like, just two years older than my sister," the 26-year-old Belarusian said.
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"I look at my sister as, like, a kid. You know, I remember her being this little baby. So I look at Mirra and think, 'oh, my God, I'm so old.' Yeah, that's just crazy. I'm depressed right now. Why do you ask that question? I'm almost 30 (smiling)."
Andreeva may be just a teenager but she is already big things. In Dubai, she defeated Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina en route to winning the title. In Indian Wells, she again beat the Pole and the Kazakh.
One thing is for sure heading into the Indian Wells final - Sabalenka won't want to join the list of big names that Andreeva recently beat.
