As the 2025 WTA season winds to a close, Russian tennis stars Mirra Andreeva and Diana Shnaider were recognized for their contributions to sports in their nation and received honorary medals by president Vladimir Putin.
The duo were awarded with the medal of the Order For Merit to the Fatherland, 1st degree. Andreeva and Shnaider were awarded for their merits in the development of physical culture and sports and for many years of conscientious work.
Sergey Kononykhin, the vice president of the Federation of Figure Skating, was also honored with this award. Judoka Ayub Bliev, the bronze medalist of the World Championship, silver medalist of the European Championship, was awarded the medal of the Order For Merit to the Fatherland 2nd degree.
Andreeva has had the best season of her career on tour in 2025. The 18-year old began the year on the verge of superstardom, and lived up to the expectations as the season progressed.
A Grand Slam title win is not far-fetched for the young Russian
The Krasnoyarsk native began the 2025 season ranked in the top 20. However, she had her breakthrough at the Dubai Championships in February, where she defeated the likes of Iga Swiatek and Elena Rybakina en route to the biggest title of her career.
Andreeva would embark on a winning streak, as she outplayed her competition at the subsequent Indian Wells WTA 1000 event. The teenager defeated World No.1 Aryna Sabalenka to win her second straight title, climbing to a career-high ranking of World No.5 soon afterwards.
Compatriot Shnaider has also had an excellent 12 months. The 21-year old partnered with Andreeva at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games to win the silver medal. Shnaider won four WTA singles titles in 2024, and reached a career-high ranking of World No.11 in May of this year.
The Russian duo have also been dominant on the doubles tour, winning their first WTA doubles medal as a team at the Brisbane International in January. Subsequently, they would win the doubles title at the Miami Open a few months later, and have reached at least the quarterfinals at three of the four Grand Slam women’s doubles events this year.