LeBron James said he was "happy to have helped" Mirra Andreeva win the Indian Wells title after the teenager explained that she drew inspiration from one of his old interviews.

Andreeva beat world number one Aryna Sabalenka 2-6 6-4 6-3 in the final to clinch her second straight WTA 1000 title after winning the Dubai Tennis Championship last month.

And in doing so, she became the third-youngest player to win the women's singles title at Indian Wells, older only than Martina Hingis (1998) and Serena Williams (1999).

Having defeated Iga Swiatek in the semi-finals, Andreeva also became the youngest player in the last 40 years to defeat the world number one and two in a single WTA event.

Indeed, the only younger player to achieve that feat in a WTA-1000/Tier One or grand slam was Tracy Austin, who did so on her way to lifting the US Open title back in 1979. 

Andreeva said in an interview with Tennis Channel on Monday that James' comments helped her come from a set down to battle past Sabalenka in the final. 

"He was saying that even if you don't play 100% or even if you don't feel 100% physically, I'm going to choose to be 100% mentally," Andreeva said.

"He said that's what makes us champions, so I kind of tried to do the same."

3 - Since 1989, Mirra Andreeva is the third-youngest player to win the Women's Singles title in Indian Wells, older only than Martina Hingis (1998) and Serena Williams (1999). Star.#TennisParadise | @BNPPARIBASOPEN @WTA @WTA_insider pic.twitter.com/od3mAII9Ek

— OptaAce (@OptaAce) March 16, 2025

James - a four-time NBA champion, four-time MVP and the league's all-time leading scorer - congratulated Andreeva and insisted all the credit belongs to her.

"Congratulations! Happy to have helped," James wrote on Instagram late on Monday. 

"But honestly YOU did THAT!! All your hard work, drive, and dedication toward your craft. KEEP GOING! Strive for greatness."

Andreeva is preparing for the Miami Open, where she is ranked 11th for the tournament, and will face either Veronika Kudermetova or Xinyu Wang in her opening match.