Russian teenager Mirra Andreeva is approaching her Indian Wells title defense with excitement rather than concern over ranking points, following her breakthrough performance at last month's Dubai tournament.

Andreeva, who defeated world number one Aryna Sabalenka in last year's Indian Wells final, captured back-to-back WTA 1000 titles after her triumph in Dubai. However, she faced challenges maintaining that level throughout her breakthrough season.

The 18-year-old started 2026 strongly by winning the Adelaide crown and later reached the quarterfinals in Dubai, embracing the added attention that comes with being a defending champion.

"I was worried about defending points in Dubai since Roland Garros," Andreeva told reporters on Wednesday. "I was thinking about it a lot, but when I came to Dubai, the only thing I felt was the excitement of being there again, feeling new emotions at the tournament as defending champion. It was all new to me, but I didn't feel the pressure I thought I would. And here it's the same thing. I'm just so excited to be here as a defending champion, to see my photos almost everywhere. It's just nice to be here again, and now I don't feel any pressure defending points."

Andreeva, who also defeated Elena Rybakina, Elina Svitolina, and Iga Swiatek on her way to last year’s Indian Wells title, said she has learned to manage fluctuations in form.

"I was just struggling to play and use that level in all the tournaments that I played," she added. "It was a bit on and off, which was a new experience for me. But now, if that happens again, I know how to deal with it."

Eighth-seeded Andreeva has a bye into the second round, where she will face either Peyton Stearns or Solana Sierra.

-Reporting by Shrivathsa Sridhar in Bengaluru; Editing by Peter Rutherford