From college to tennis pro
Yuliia Starodubtseva is a talented tennis player from Ukraine who has managed to live her dream - as a university student to professional tennis. It is a story of determination and tireless commitment.
The opportunity in America
Nevertheless, Yuliia's talent was promising enough to receive a scholarship as a tennis player at an American university. At the age of 17, she was recruited by the OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY in Norfolk / Virginia and played on the college team for the "Monarchs" from fall 2017.
College Achievements
Already in her first year, Yuliia earned the spot on the “All-Freshman Team" and immediately distinguished herself as a key player. Her coaching team with Dominic Manilla and Yana Sokolenko recognized Yuliia's enormous performance potential right from the start. Under their guidance, Yuliia developed as the number 1 player of the team over the next few years.
In the final year 2022, as a so-called "senior", Yuliia largely dominated the competition of all other college teams, with a final record of 21-2. In addition, Yuliia and her team won the "Conference USA" and she herself was member "NCAA-ALL STAR", as well as "Senior Athlete" of the Year at OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY.
Childhood and early enthusiasm
Yuliia grew up in Kakhovka, a small town in the southern Ukraine. Already at a young age she found her passion for tennis. Although she achieved some success as a junior, the results were not quite enough to make a breakthrough at the international level.
The challenges after college
The time after leaving college in May 2022 was marked by many uncertainties. In view of the terrible war situation in her native Ukraine, Yuliia was facing an uncertain future. There was the opportunity to use a so-called "legal year" directly after graduation from college to work in the USA and perhaps find a permanent job. As the best opportunity, Yuliia took over an opened coaching position in a country club near New York for the summer and was able to earn some money. For her accommodation, she only had a back room at the tennis facility.
Due to the critical situation with her family and relatives in the Ukrainian homeland, Yuliia has been constantly busy helping. In particular, Yuliia supported her younger sister, also a tennis player, who was able to eventually find a tennis scholarship in the USA at the university.
While Yuliia was on the tennis court between 7 and 10 hours a day as a coach, she also completed her college degree.
Additionally, Yuliia had to decide which professional path she wants to take in the near future. The option of a career as a tennis player on the professional tour seemed rather unrealistic due to the overall circumstances, even if it was always what she wanted to do as a child. At that time, there were some people who said "at the age of 23, she was already too old to be able to start as a tennis professional and be really successful at it."
Nevertheless, Yuliia didn't want to give up her dream in her mind yet.
The path to professional tennis
In September 2022, Yuliia happened to meet coach Carl Thorsen, Head of the "TKO" Academy in Rye, just outside of New York and near her area. Enthusiastic about Yuliia's talent and her ambitions, the coach was ready to train her from now on. Since Yuliia could not raise the financial means to pay for the efforts of the coach, both agreed on a success-oriented agreement.
What followed were several months of intensive practice.
The hurdles
At the beginning of January 2023, Yuliia had planned to play lower world ranking tournaments in the USA, so-called "ITF challengers". However, this proved to be extremely difficult, because Yuliia did not have a world ranking.
As an alternative, Yuliia decided to register for so-called "UTR events" and some "wild card tournaments" in order to play in the qualification of ITF tournaments without having to have the actually necessary ranking.
First tournament participations -
quick successes
In her first "WC tournament" at the end of January 2023, Yuliia immediately won 6 matches on a row, thus gaining a more valuable "WC" in order to be able to compete for the qualification for a so-called "ITF-60k" in Rome / Georgia the next day. And there, too, she was twice successful, which automatically brought her into the main draw of the tournament endowed with a total of $60,000 dollars. In the main draw, Yuliia lost in the first round, but still scored her first world ranking points through the successful qualification.
Yuliia did not immediately appear on the world ranking, because it takes a total of at least 3 points to be registered there. In general, a player with 3 points would be listed on the “WTA ranking“ between number 1300 and 1400.
About a month later, at the end of February 2023, Yuliia signed up for another "WC tournament" and directly received the "WC" for the maindraw in an ITF 25k in Spring / Texas . Sensationally, Yuliia won the entire tournament, which was endowed with a total of $25,000 and earned her prize money in an amount of $ 3,000. It was thus Yuliia's first title on the so-called "ITF Challenger Tour". Her world ranking position immediately went to 612. This allowed Yuliia to schedule much better in the following months and regularly participate directly in most ITF tournaments.
Still her prize money earnings were not enough to cover all travel expenses and accommodation, including not being able to pay her coach for the practice at home or to have him as support at the tournaments. However, the overall development was satisfactory.
While Yuliia was almost continuously on the road at tournaments, she received support from some friends in the form of fundraising, which raised several thousand dollars over several months.
Rapid further development -
Preliminary highlight
In mid-June 2023, Yuliia won her first ITF-60K in Sumter / South Carolina, with a total prize money of $6,000 dollars as the winner. This tournament success was a milestone in her young career and a clear proof of her progress.
Also an increase in self confidence coming from the quality of her victories helped enormously, especially against numerous opponents between 100 and 200 of the world ranking. Yuliia felt more and more respect from her opponents, also she began to play very successful in doubles.
Due to the now greatly improved world ranking position, the usual course for the further schedule of the year increasingly changed. At this time, Yuliia even flirted with a completely new goal - the qualification for the US Open in August. However, in order to actually manage this, Yuliia would have to get almost the maximum result at the two remaining last ITF-60K tournaments, which are taken into account for the acceptance list in the US Open.
The breakthrough into the top 200 in the world ranking
When the tournament in Evansville/Indiana was just about to start in mid-July, Yuliia put a lot of pressure on herself. But her tough attitude was helping her a lot. Although she lost in the finals, it was still an important success.
However, in order to make it into the US Open qualifying draw, Yuliia had to win the next ITF-60K in Dallas / Texas in the following week.
And that's exactly what she did ! Yuliia won the entire tournament, which was her third title on the ITF-Challenger-Tour. Also she defeated the top 100 player and 1st seeded, the American Madison Brengle for the second time in just one week. And in the finals, Yuliia beat Yafan Wang from China, who was the 2nd seeded and also ranked in the best 100 in the world.
Thus, it was clear: Yuliia reached also the qualification for the US Open 2023 and her world ranking did sensationally brake the 200 mark.
At this stage of Yuliia’s life, she could be extremely proud on herself what she was able to achieve in all those last months. Besides the hard practice and numerous tournaments, she also made a tireless effort to help her family and other relatives to escape from the war in her homeland Ukraine.
Looking forward to the first Grand Slam tournament
As a last preparation shortly before the US Open, Yuliia played the ITF-Challenger in Landisville / Pennsylvania, with a total prize money of $100,000 Dollars. Right away in the 1st round, she had to face the top seeded and world number 74 Xin Wang from China. With a 3-0 lead in the 3rd set, Yuliia had already the victory in sight, but still got defeated with 4-6. Nevertheless, another remarkable performance, especially since her experienced opponent won the entire tournament. At the same time, Yuliia won at least in the doubles competition, which also improved her doubles ranking close to the top 200. Especially her performance in doubles is the result of her experiences in college.
From Landisville it went directly to the US Open in New York. For Yuliia, these circumstances were really like a fairy tale. The fact that the next event is actually a Grand Slam tournament, it still seemed so unreal to her, especially since it takes place in the area where she has now found a home. And as everyone can imagine, numerous friendships from the surrounding area arose during this time - with many nice people, who of course noticed and accompanied this fast development of Yuliia. Accordingly, the excitement of her participation in the US Open was extremely great.
Showdown - Playing the US Open in New York
The first practice days at the huge "Billie Jean King Tennis Center" in Flushing Meadows were of course something very special. To receive her own player accreditation for such an event or to use the shuttle service, also being in the players area with all the top stars, whom Yuliia could possibly even face as an opponent in this tournament - all this was fantastic.
In addition, the daily atmosphere around the largest tennis stadium in the world - the Arthur Ashe Stadium - and suddenly having a practice session at the legendary "Louis Armstrong Stadium" - these were all feelings of happiness.
The first Grand Slam match - Unfortunate defeat
On Tuesday, the 22nd August 2023, Yuliia was ready to play her first Grand Slam match on court No. 7. Her opponent was the Swiss Celine Naef, 50 positions higher ranked than Yuliia. Of course, many fans of Yuliia from the nearby area had come to support her.
The 1st set of the match was quite closely, Yuliia won it 7-5.
Completely unexpectedly, however, Yuliia previously showed pain on the left wrist at the end of the 1st set. After a short treatment in a "Medical Time Out", Yuliia continued immediately. But she was limited on her backhand, consequently lost the 2nd set 4-6. And also in the deciding 3rd set, Yuliia couldn’t play her usual level, she just wasn’t able to use her two-handed backhand as a weapon anymore. Nevertheless, the match was still very open until the end, Yuliia even had a breakpoint on her opponent's serve at 4-5. Since Yuliia wanted to make the rallies shorter with a higher risk, three unforced errors in the very end have been too much. Thus, Yuliia lost the match 4-6 in the 3rd set in more than 3 hours. Although her dream of reaching the main draw in the US Open 2023 has to be postponed, Yuliia showed an amazing fight until the last point.
As a first reaction, certainly she was very disappointed about the loss, especially due to the limitations caused by her wrist. But after a little while she accepted the situation with a positive attitude.
Bottom line, Yuliia was able to receive by far her highest carrier prize money until then and she is also richer by a huge experience of having played a Grand Slam tournament.
Considering that Yuliia was still facing an uncertain future in January of the same year - without any world ranking and financial mean - this development from "zero to 200" is really more than impressive.
Outlook
Yuliia will keep working to develop her game, also playing further more tournaments to improve her ranking until the end of the year. Then she will have a intense preparation for the next Grand Slam tournament - the Australian Open in January 2024.
However, Yuliia has already achieved one thing: she has proven the amazing progress that can be made if the attitude and the desire to succeed are existing.
The miraculous journey of Yuliia Starodubtseva as a college student to an aspiring professional player is an example of perseverance, passion and belief in a dream.
Winner of the ITF $ 60 K in Rancho Santa Fe,USA Singles & Doubles
(October 15th 2023)
Starodubtseva into top 200 as sizzling season takes in fourth ITF crown | ITF (itftennis.com)
Singles Live-Ranking: WTA # 159
Doubles Ranking: WTA # 190
Anyone who thought that Yuliia's phenomenal rise in 2023 would not continue, is mistaken!
The next career leap was the first participation in the Australia Open in January 2024.
Trip to Australia
Due to the improved ranking in the course of 2023, it was already clear at an early stage that Yuliia will also play the next Grand Slam tournament in Melbourne after the US Open in New York.
With a relatively short preparation period in December, Yuliia, together with her Australian boyfriend and hitting coach, traveled to Sydney shortly before Christmas to spend the holidays with her friend's family.
Preparatory tournament in Sydney
At the beginning of January, Yuliia finally played one of the pre-tournaments of the higher WTA category in Sydney, winning two matches before she lost to her Ukrainian compatriot Dayana Yastremska. Nevertheless, a positive experience, it was only Yuliia's second major WTA event in which she participated. The match against Dayana was also very fine, after all, Dayana even reached the semi-finals as a qualifier at the subsequent Australia Open.
Qualification for the Australian Open
Yuliia also had to win at least three matches in the qualification at the Australia Open to get into the main draw of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time. Participation alone was certainly already a great experience. In terms of her development, however, Yuliia now wanted to achieve more. And she succeeded, too. With three great victories, especially with a highly dramatic match in the last qualifying round, in which Yuliia won 7-6 in the decisive match tiebreaker, Yuliia finally saved the ticket to the 128 main competition.
First round of the AO
The joy of anticipation was huge and the opponent in the first round could not be more spectacular. Thus, Yuliia found herself on match day on one of the big courts of the tournament, the Margaret Court Arena. The opponent was the three-time Grand Slam finalist and number 6 of the world ranking Ons Jabeur from Tunisia.
Rewards and prospects for the future
If Yuliia had received the prediction of her tennis development from anyone a year ago, it would have been crazy to take such a thing seriously. As a consolation for the successful qualification, Yuliia received a total prize money of $120,000 Australian dollars or $80,000 US dollars.
Even a few days later, Yuliia still had to pinch herself whether these fabulous circumstances are actually a reality. As a reminder: In January 2023, Yuliia had neither a position on the world ranking, nor an apartment, nor money, nor the opportunity to travel back to her homeland, where too many dangers lurked.
But now, a year later, Yuliia earned a world ranking position of # 136 and a paycheck, which gives her a quite good opportunity to plan her ongoing career a little more relaxed.
We are already looking forward to the next successes !!!
Childhood and early enthusiasm
Yuliia grew up in Kakhovka, a small town in the southern Ukraine. Already at a young age she found her passion for tennis. Although she achieved some success as a junior, the results were not quite enough to make a breakthrough at the international level.
The opportunity in America
Nevertheless, Yuliia's talent was promising enough to receive a scholarship as a tennis player at an American university. At the age of 17, she was recruited by the OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY in Norfolk / Virginia and played on the college team for the "Monarchs" from fall 2017.
College Achievements
Already in her first year, Yuliia earned the spot on the “All-Freshman Team" and immediately distinguished herself as a key player. Her coaching team with Dominic Manilla and Yana Sokolenko recognized Yuliia's enormous performance potential right from the start. Under their guidance, Yuliia developed as the number 1 player of the team over the next few years.
In the final year 2022, as a so-called "senior", Yuliia largely dominated the competition of all other college teams, with a final record of 21-2. In addition, Yuliia and her team won the "Conference USA" and she herself was member "NCAA-ALL STAR", as well as "Senior Athlete" of the Year at OLD DOMINION UNIVERSITY.
The challenges after college
The time after leaving college in May 2022 was marked by many uncertainties. In view of the terrible war situation in her native Ukraine, Yuliia was facing an uncertain future. There was the opportunity to use a so-called "legal year" directly after graduation from college to work in the USA and perhaps find a permanent job. As the best opportunity, Yuliia took over an opened coaching position in a country club near New York for the summer and was able to earn some money. For her accommodation, she only had a back room at the tennis facility.
Due to the critical situation with her family and relatives in the Ukrainian homeland, Yuliia has been constantly busy helping. In particular, Yuliia supported her younger sister, also a tennis player, who was able to eventually find a tennis scholarship in the USA at the university.
While Yuliia was on the tennis court between 7 and 10 hours a day as a coach, she also completed her college degree.
Additionally, Yuliia had to decide which professional path she wants to take in the near future. The option of a career as a tennis player on the professional tour seemed rather unrealistic due to the overall circumstances, even if it was always what she wanted to do as a child. At that time, there were some people who said "at the age of 23, she was already too old to be able to start as a tennis professional and be really successful at it."
Nevertheless, Yuliia didn't want to give up her dream in her mind yet.
The path to professional tennis
In September 2022, Yuliia happened to meet coach Carl Thorsen, Head of the "TKO" Academy in Rye, just outside of New York and near her area. Enthusiastic about Yuliia's talent and her ambitions, the coach was ready to train her from now on. Since Yuliia could not raise the financial means to pay for the efforts of the coach, both agreed on a success-oriented agreement.
What followed were several months of intensive practice.
The hurdles
At the beginning of January 2023, Yuliia had planned to play lower world ranking tournaments in the USA, so-called "ITF challengers". However, this proved to be extremely difficult, because Yuliia did not have a world ranking.
As an alternative, Yuliia decided to register for so-called "UTR events" and some "wild card tournaments" in order to play in the qualification of ITF tournaments without having to have the actually necessary ranking.
First tournament participations - quick successes
In her first "WC tournament" at the end of January 2023, Yuliia immediately won 6 matches on a row, thus gaining a more valuable "WC" in order to be able to compete for the qualification for a so-called "ITF-60k" in Rome / Georgia the next day. And there, too, she was twice successful, which automatically brought her into the main draw of the tournament endowed with a total of $60,000 dollars. In the main draw, Yuliia lost in the first round, but still scored her first world ranking points through the successful qualification.
Yuliia did not immediately appear on the world ranking, because it takes a total of at least 3 points to be registered there. In general, a player with 3 points would be listed on the “WTA ranking“ between number 1300 and 1400.
About a month later, at the end of February 2023, Yuliia signed up for another "WC tournament" and directly received the "WC" for the maindraw in an ITF 25k in Spring / Texas . Sensationally, Yuliia won the entire tournament, which was endowed with a total of $25,000 and earned her prize money in an amount of $ 3,000. It was thus Yuliia's first title on the so-called "ITF Challenger Tour". Her world ranking position immediately went to 612. This allowed Yuliia to schedule much better in the following months and regularly participate directly in most ITF tournaments.
Still her prize money earnings were not enough to cover all travel expenses and accommodation, including not being able to pay her coach for the practice at home or to have him as support at the tournaments. However, the overall development was satisfactory.
While Yuliia was almost continuously on the road at tournaments, she received support from some friends in the form of fundraising, which raised several thousand dollars over several months.
Rapid further development - Preliminary highlight
In mid-June 2023, Yuliia won her first ITF-60K in Sumter / South Carolina, with a total prize money of $6,000 dollars as the winner. This tournament success was a milestone in her young career and a clear proof of her progress.
Also an increase in self confidence coming from the quality of her victories helped enormously, especially against numerous opponents between 100 and 200 of the world ranking. Yuliia felt more and more respect from her opponents, also she began to play very successful in doubles.
Due to the now greatly improved world ranking position, the usual course for the further schedule of the year increasingly changed. At this time, Yuliia even flirted with a completely new goal - the qualification for the US Open in August. However, in order to actually manage this, Yuliia would have to get almost the maximum result at the two remaining last ITF-60K tournaments, which are taken into account for the acceptance list in the US Open.
The breakthrough into the top 200 in the world ranking
When the tournament in Evansville/Indiana was just about to start in mid-July, Yuliia put a lot of pressure on herself. But her tough attitude was helping her a lot. Although she lost in the finals, it was still an important success.
However, in order to make it into the US Open qualifying draw, Yuliia had to win the next ITF-60K in Dallas / Texas in the following week.
And that's exactly what she did ! Yuliia won the entire tournament, which was her third title on the ITF-Challenger-Tour. Also she defeated the top 100 player and 1st seeded, the American Madison Brengle for the second time in just one week. And in the finals, Yuliia beat Yafan Wang from China, who was the 2nd seeded and also ranked in the best 100 in the world.
Thus, it was clear: Yuliia reached also the qualification for the US Open 2023 and her world ranking did sensationally brake the 200 mark.
At this stage of Yuliia’s life, she could be extremely proud on herself what she was able to achieve in all those last months. Besides the hard practice and numerous tournaments, she also made a tireless effort to help her family and other relatives to escape from the war in her homeland Ukraine.
Looking forward to the first Grand Slam tournament
As a last preparation shortly before the US Open, Yuliia played the ITF-Challenger in Landisville / Pennsylvania, with a total prize money of $100,000 Dollars. Right away in the 1st round, she had to face the top seeded and world number 74 Xin Wang from China. With a 3-0 lead in the 3rd set, Yuliia had already the victory in sight, but still got defeated with 4-6. Nevertheless, another remarkable performance, especially since her experienced opponent won the entire tournament. At the same time, Yuliia won at least in the doubles competition, which also improved her doubles ranking close to the top 200. Especially her performance in doubles is the result of her experiences in college.
From Landisville it went directly to the US Open in New York. For Yuliia, these circumstances were really like a fairy tale. The fact that the next event is actually a Grand Slam tournament, it still seemed so unreal to her, especially since it takes place in the area where she has now found a home. And as everyone can imagine, numerous friendships from the surrounding area arose during this time - with many nice people, who of course noticed and accompanied this fast development of Yuliia. Accordingly, the excitement of her participation in the US Open was extremely great.
Showdown - Playing the US Open in New York
The first practice days at the huge "Billie Jean King Tennis Center" in Flushing Meadows were of course something very special. To receive her own player accreditation for such an event or to use the shuttle service, also being in the players area with all the top stars, whom Yuliia could possibly even face as an opponent in this tournament - all this was fantastic.
In addition, the daily atmosphere around the largest tennis stadium in the world - the Arthur Ashe Stadium - and suddenly having a practice session at the legendary "Louis Armstrong Stadium" - these were all feelings of happiness.
The first Grand Slam match - Unfortunate defeat
On Tuesday, the 22nd August 2023, Yuliia was ready to play her first Grand Slam match on court No. 7. Her opponent was the Swiss Celine Naef, 50 positions higher ranked than Yuliia. Of course, many fans of Yuliia from the nearby area had come to support her.
The 1st set of the match was quite closely, Yuliia won it 7-5.
Completely unexpectedly, however, Yuliia previously showed pain on the left wrist at the end of the 1st set. After a short treatment in a "Medical Time Out", Yuliia continued immediately. But she was limited on her backhand, consequently lost the 2nd set 4-6. And also in the deciding 3rd set, Yuliia couldn’t play her usual level, she just wasn’t able to use her two-handed backhand as a weapon anymore. Nevertheless, the match was still very open until the end, Yuliia even had a breakpoint on her opponent's serve at 4-5. Since Yuliia wanted to make the rallies shorter with a higher risk, three unforced errors in the very end have been too much. Thus, Yuliia lost the match 4-6 in the 3rd set in more than 3 hours. Although her dream of reaching the main draw in the US Open 2023 has to be postponed, Yuliia showed an amazing fight until the last point.
As a first reaction, certainly she was very disappointed about the loss, especially due to the limitations caused by her wrist. But after a little while she accepted the situation with a positive attitude.
Bottom line, Yuliia was able to receive by far her highest carrier prize money until then and she is also richer by a huge experience of having played a Grand Slam tournament.
Considering that Yuliia was still facing an uncertain future in January of the same year - without any world ranking and financial mean - this development from "zero to 200" is really more than impressive.
Outlook
Yuliia will keep working to develop her game, also playing further more tournaments to improve her ranking until the end of the year. Then she will have a intense preparation for the next Grand Slam tournament - the Australian Open in January 2024.
However, Yuliia has already achieved one thing: she has proven the amazing progress that can be made if the attitude and the desire to succeed are existing.
The miraculous journey of Yuliia Starodubtseva as a college student to an aspiring professional player is an example of perseverance, passion and belief in a dream.
Winner of the ITF $ 60 K in Rancho Santa Fe,USA Singles & Doubles
(October 15th 2023)
Starodubtseva into top 200 as sizzling season takes in fourth ITF crown | ITF (itftennis.com)
Singles Live-Ranking: WTA # 159
Doubles Ranking: WTA # 190
Billie Jean King Cup
For the team competition of the former "Fed Cup", the encounter between Ukraine and Romania was moved early to Amelia Island in Florida due to the ongoing war in Ukraine. The fact that Yuliia, despite the great competition from top players in her own country, was named as one of five to the team of her so scolded home country has already been a great honor for Yuliia. Even if Yuliia was ultimately not played in the individual matches, she supported her team mates, including the world-class player Elina Svitolina.
In a dramatic course, they won the next two singles and finally the all-important double. The final score was therefore 3-2 for Romania. Despite the defeat for the team of Ukraine, it was still a great experience for Yuliia and certainly the continuation of her wonderful success story.
The atmosphere was very positive overall, especially after Ukraine was able to win both singles on the first day and thus led 2-0. Somewhat surprisingly, the Romanian team managed the turnaround on the second day.
Preparation for Wimbledon
Yuliia will now prepare intensively with coach Eric van Harpen for the Ladies Open in Berlin, a WTA 500 grass court event.
Afterwards is coming the next highlight at Wimbledon, the third and probably most prestigious Grand Slam tournament of the year.
Trip to Australia
Due to the improved ranking in the course of 2023, it was already clear at an early stage that Yuliia will also play the next Grand Slam tournament in Melbourne after the US Open in New York.
With a relatively short preparation period in December, Yuliia, together with her Australian boyfriend and hitting coach, traveled to Sydney shortly before Christmas to spend the holidays with her friend's family.
Preparatory tournament in Sydney
At the beginning of January, Yuliia finally played one of the pre-tournaments of the higher WTA category in Sydney, winning two matches before she lost to her Ukrainian compatriot Dayana Yastremska. Nevertheless, a positive experience, it was only Yuliia's second major WTA event in which she participated. The match against Dayana was also very fine, after all, Dayana even reached the semi-finals as a qualifier at the subsequent Australia Open.
Qualification for the Australian Open
Yuliia also had to win at least three matches in the qualification at the Australia Open to get into the main draw of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time. Participation alone was certainly already a great experience. In terms of her development, however, Yuliia now wanted to achieve more. And she succeeded, too. With three great victories, especially with a highly dramatic match in the last qualifying round, in which Yuliia won 7-6 in the decisive match tiebreaker, Yuliia finally saved the ticket to the 128 main competition.
First round of the AO
The joy of anticipation was huge and the opponent in the first round could not be more spectacular. Thus, Yuliia found herself on match day on one of the big courts of the tournament, the Margaret Court Arena. The opponent was the three-time Grand Slam finalist and number 6 of the world ranking Ons Jabeur from Tunisia.
There was an open match with great rallies, for Yuliia unfortunately with a too clear result against herself. 3-6/1-6 was the score in the end, but it distorts the actual course of the game a bit. In retrospect, Yuliia felt overwhelmed by the big audience and therefore somewhat impaired in her possibilities, especially since Jabeur is very popular with the audience and was routine enough to take advantage of these circumstances.
Nevertheless, a fantastic experience for Yuliia to be able to present herself as a player under such spectator conditions of a Grand Slam tournament, also live on TV, as well as a great ambassador of her warring country Ukraine.
Rewards and prospects for the future
If Yuliia had received the prediction of her tennis development from anyone a year ago, it would have been crazy to take such a thing seriously. As a consolation for the successful qualification, Yuliia received a total prize money of $120,000 Australian dollars or $80,000 US dollars. Even a few days later, Yuliia still had to pinch herself whether these fabulous circumstances are actually a reality. As a reminder: In January 2023, Yuliia had neither a position on the world ranking, nor an apartment, nor money, nor the opportunity to travel back to her homeland, where too many dangers lurked. But now, a year later, Yuliia earned a world ranking position of # 136 and a paycheck, which gives her a quite good opportunity to plan her ongoing career a little more relaxed.
We are already looking forward to the next successes !!!
Anyone who thought that Yuliia's phenomenal rise in 2023 would not continue, is mistaken!
The next career leap was the first participation in the Australia Open in January 2024.
Next career highlight -
Nomination to the Ukrainian national team for
the "Billie Jean King Cup"
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Mizner Park
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🇩🇪 +49 (173) 343 - 6791
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© 2024 CollegeScoutPLUS
Billie Jean King Cup
For the team competition of the former "Fed Cup", the encounter between Ukraine and Romania was moved early to Amelia Island in Florida due to the ongoing war in Ukraine. The fact that Yuliia, despite the great competition from top players in her own country, was named as one of five to the team of her so scolded home country has already been a great honor for Yuliia. Even if Yuliia was ultimately not played in the individual matches, she supported her team mates, including the world-class player Elina Svitolina.
The atmosphere was very positive overall, especially after Ukraine was able to win both singles on the first day and thus led
2-0. Somewhat surprisingly, the Romanian team managed the turnaround on the second day.
In a dramatic course, they won the next two singles and finally the all-important double. The final score was therefore 3-2 for Romania. Despite the defeat for the team of Ukraine, it was still a great experience for Yuliia and certainly the continuation of her wonderful success story.
European clay court season
As the next career step, Yuliia is playing European clay court tournaments and participates some team-tennis competition in Germany.
After a short preparation in Mallorca/Spain, under the personal guidance of one of Eric van Harpen, who is well known as one of the most successful tennis coaches in female tennis, they both visited a $100,000 Challenger tournament in Portugal. After a great performance of three wins, Yuliia lost very close in the semi-finals against the later winner Jana Fett.
Immediately afterwards, the path of Yuliia led to Germany and she was having two team competitions in Berlin, as the top player of the club LTTC Rot Weiss Berlin in the first Division of „Bundesliga“.
Yuliia won both of her two singles matches, one of them in 2 straight sets against Germany's number One Tatjana Maria from the German champion "Bredeney Essen", whereby the team from Berlin also sensationally won the entire game.
Immediately followed by the so-called "WTA 1000" in Rome, the highest tournament category after the Grand Slams, Yuliia passed the first round of an extremely strong qualification.
In the final round, Yuliia lost very close with
4-6 in the third set against Katie Volynetz, who almost defeat afterwards the world number two Sabalenka by losing in three tough sets.
Participation in the second Grand Slam of the year 2024 in Paris
The next career highlight for Yuliia have been the French Open at Roland Garros.
With the world ranking # 135, Yuliia had to compete again in the strong qualification and she won all three matches smoothly in two sets.
Guided by the American coach Carl Thorsen, Yuliia qualified for the main draw of a Grand Slam tournament the second time in a row. Of course, already a great performance from Yuliia, especially when you look back on her entire development since last year when she started with no ranking.
The opponent in the first round of Roland Garros was the # 72 in the world ranking, Christina Busca from Spain. Unfortunately, after a 4-3 lead in the first set, Yuliia could not maintain control of her opponent and finally lost far below her potential with 4-6/1-6. The bottom line is that the performance at the French Open was still a certain success.
Preparation for Wimbledon
Yuliia will now prepare intensively with coach Eric van Harpen for the Ladies Open in Berlin, a WTA 500 grass court event.
Afterwards is coming the next highlight at Wimbledon, the third and probably most prestigious Grand Slam tournament of the year.
Immediately followed by the so-called "WTA 1000" in Rome, the highest tournament category after the Grand Slams, Yuliia passed the first round of an extremely strong qualification.
In the final round, Yuliia lost very close with
4-6 in the third set against Katie Volynetz, who almost defeat afterwards the world number two Sabalenka by losing in three tough sets.
European clay court season
As the next career step, Yuliia is playing European clay court tournaments and participates some team-tennis competition in Germany.
After a short preparation in Mallorca/Spain, under the personal guidance of one of Eric van Harpen, who is well known as one of the most successful tennis coaches in female tennis, they both visited a $100,000 Challenger tournament in Portugal. After a great performance of three wins, Yuliia lost very close in the semi-finals against the later winner Jana Fett.
Immediately afterwards, the path of Yuliia led to Germany and she was having two team competitions in Berlin, as the top player of the club LTTC Rot Weiss Berlin in the first Division of „Bundesliga“.
Yuliia won both of her two singles matches, one of them in 2 straight sets against Germany's number One Tatjana Maria from the German champion "Bredeney Essen", whereby the team from Berlin also sensationally won the entire game.
Participation in the second Grand Slam of the year 2024 in Paris
The next career highlight for Yuliia have been the French Open at Roland Garros.
With the world ranking # 135, Yuliia had to compete again in the strong qualification and she won all three matches smoothly in two sets.
Guided by the American coach Carl Thorsen, Yuliia qualified for the main draw of a Grand Slam tournament the second time in a row. Of course, already a great performance from Yuliia, especially when you look back on her entire development since last year when she started with no ranking.
The opponent in the first round of Roland Garros was the # 72 in the world ranking, Christina Busca from Spain. Unfortunately, after a 4-3 lead in the first set, Yuliia could not maintain control of her opponent and finally lost far below her potential with 4-6/1-6. The bottom line is that the performance at the French Open was still a certain success.
There was an open match with great rallies, for Yuliia unfortunately with a too clear result against herself. 3-6/1-6 was the score in the end, but it distorts the actual course of the game a bit. In retrospect, Yuliia felt overwhelmed by the big audience and therefore somewhat impaired in her possibilities, especially since Jabeur is very popular with the audience and was routine enough to take advantage of these circumstances.
Nevertheless, a fantastic experience for Yuliia to be able to present herself as a player under such spectator conditions of a Grand Slam tournament, also live on TV, as well as a great ambassador of her warring country Ukraine.