Ekaterina Makarova facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Ekaterina Makarova

Makarova at the 2018 Wimbledon Championships
Native name	Екатерина Макарова
Country (sports)	Russia
Residence	Moscow, Russia
Born	(1988-06-07) 7 June 1988 (age 37) Moscow, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union
Height	1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Turned pro	October 2004
Retired	28 January 2020
Plays	Left-handed (two-handed backhand)
Coach	Evgenia Manyukova (2007–2017) Nigel Sears (2017–2018)
Prize money	US$ 13,229,362
Singles
Career record	436–307 (58.68%)
Career titles	3
Highest ranking	No. 8 (6 April 2015)
Grand Slam singles results
Australian Open	SF (2015)
French Open	4R (2011, 2015)
Wimbledon	QF (2014)
US Open	SF (2014)
Other tournaments
Olympic Games	3R (2016)
Doubles
Career record	376–180 (67.63%)
Career titles	15
Highest ranking	No. 1 (11 June 2018)
Grand Slam doubles results
Australian Open	F (2014, 2018)
French Open	W (2013)
Wimbledon	W (2017)
US Open	W (2014)
Other doubles tournaments
Tour Finals	W (2016)
Grand Slam mixed doubles results
Australian Open	F (2010)
French Open	QF (2011)
Wimbledon	QF (2018)
US Open	W (2012)
Team competitions
Fed Cup	W (2008)
Medal record Women's tennis Representing  Russia Olympic Games Gold 2016 Rio de Janeiro Doubles Summer Universiade Gold 2013 Kazan Doubles Gold 2009 Belgrade Doubles Gold 2009 Belgrade Team

Ekaterina Valeryevna Makarova (born on June 7, 1988) is a former professional tennis player from Russia. She was once ranked the world's number one player in doubles. She also reached a high ranking of world number eight in singles.

Ekaterina is a four-time Grand Slam champion. She won three Grand Slam titles in women's doubles with her partner Elena Vesnina. These wins were at the French Open in 2013, the US Open in 2014, and Wimbledon in 2017. She also won a Grand Slam title in mixed doubles at the US Open in 2012 with Bruno Soares.

Makarova and Vesnina also reached the finals of several other major tournaments. They were runners-up at the Australian Open in 2014 and 2018. They also reached the finals at Wimbledon in 2015 and the French Open in 2016. In singles, Ekaterina reached the semifinals at the US Open in 2014 and the Australian Open in 2015.

She became the world's top doubles player on June 11, 2018. She won 15 doubles titles on the WTA Tour, including the WTA Finals in 2016. Makarova and Vesnina also won a gold medal at the 2016 Olympic Games. In singles, she won three WTA titles. Her most notable singles win was at the Eastbourne International in 2010. Ekaterina was also part of the Russian team that won the 2008 Fed Cup in 2008. She retired from professional tennis on January 28, 2020.

Early Life and Tennis Beginnings

Ekaterina Valeryevna Makarova was born in Moscow, Soviet Union. Her parents are Valery and Olga. When she was about five or six years old, her parents sent her to the Luzhniki to play tennis. This was based on a recommendation from friends.

Career Highlights

Starting Professional Tennis

Ekaterina began her professional tennis journey in 2003. She quickly showed her talent. In 2004, she won her first professional title in Antalya, Turkey. She won another title in Romania that same year. By 2007, she made it into the main draw of a Grand Slam for the first time at the US Open. There, she won two matches before losing to the world's top player, Justine Henin.

First WTA Title and Grand Slam Success

In 2010, Ekaterina won her first major singles title at the Eastbourne International. She beat many top players to win this tournament. In 2011, she had a great run at the Australian Open. She reached the fourth round, beating a top player like Ana Ivanovic.

Her big breakthrough came in 2012. At the Australian Open, she reached her first Grand Slam quarterfinal. She even defeated the legendary Serena Williams along the way. Later that year, she won her first Grand Slam title. This was in mixed doubles at the US Open with her partner Bruno Soares.

Doubles Dominance and World No. 1

Ekaterina found huge success in doubles, especially with her partner Elena Vesnina.

• In 2013, they won their first women's doubles Grand Slam title at the French Open.
• In 2014, they reached the final of the Australian Open. They then won their second Grand Slam title at the US Open.
• In 2015, they were runners-up at Wimbledon.
• In 2016, they won the gold medal in doubles at the Rio Summer Olympics. They also won the WTA Finals, a big year-end tournament.
• In 2017, they won their third Grand Slam doubles title at Wimbledon. They won the final match with a rare "double bagel" score of 6-0, 6-0.
• On June 11, 2018, Ekaterina became the world's number one doubles player.

Makarova at the 2009 French Open

Makarova at the 2010 US Open

Makarova at the 2013 French Open

Makarova at the 2014 Wimbledon Championships

Makarova at the 2015 French Open

Makarova at the 2016 US Open

Makarova at the 2017 Eastbourne International

Makarova at the 2018 French Open

Singles Achievements and Retirement

In 2014, Ekaterina reached her first Grand Slam singles semifinal at the US Open. She also reached the semifinals at the Australian Open in 2015. She won her third singles title at the Washington Open in 2017. She retired from professional tennis in January 2020.

Playing Style

Makarova practicing at Rome, 2014

Ekaterina Makarova was known as an "all-court" player. This means she could play well from anywhere on the court. She used powerful shots and smart angles to win points.

She had a special left-handed slice serve. This serve made it hard for her opponents to return the ball. She was also very good at hitting powerful shots from both her forehand and backhand sides. Her backhand was especially strong. She often tried to move her opponent around the court. Then, she would hit a winning shot near the lines.

Ekaterina was one of only two left-handed players to beat Serena Williams in a Grand Slam match. She did this at the 2012 Australian Open.

Awards and Recognition

Ekaterina Makarova received several awards throughout her career:

• 2005: Russian Cup for Girls Under-18 Team of the Year.
• 2008: Russian Cup for Team of the Year.
• 2009: Russian Cup for Team of the Year.
• 2012: Russian Cup for Female Players of the Year.
• 2013: Russian Cup for Pair of the Year (with Elena Vesnina).
• 2013: WTA Fan Favorite Doubles Team of the Year (with Elena Vesnina).
• 2014: Russian Cup for Pair of the Year (with Elena Vesnina).
• 2016: Russian Cup for Pair of the Year (with Elena Vesnina).

See also

In Spanish: Yekaterina Makárova para niños