Ekaterina Makarova facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Ekaterina Makarova
Екатерина Макарова

Makarova at the 2018 Wimbledon Championships
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 June 7, 1988) is a Russian former professional tennis player. She was once ranked the world's best in doubles and No. 8 in singles.

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

Makarova and Vesnina were also runners-up in several other major tournaments. In singles, Ekaterina reached the semifinals at the 2014 US Open and 2015 Australian Open.

She became the world's No. 1 doubles player on June 11, 2018. She won 15 doubles titles on the WTA Tour, including the 2016 WTA Finals. Makarova and Vesnina also won a gold medal at the 2016 Olympic Games. In singles, she won three WTA titles, reaching her highest ranking of world No. 8 on April 6, 2015. She was also part of the Russian team that won the 2008 Fed Cup.

Early Life and Tennis Beginnings

Ekaterina Valeryevna Makarova was born in Moscow, Soviet Union. Her parents, Valery and Olga, sent her to the Luzhniki to play tennis when she was about five or six years old. Her father worked as a banker, and her mother was a housewife.

Ekaterina's Tennis Journey

Starting Out: 2003–2007

Ekaterina began her professional tennis career in 2003. She quickly showed promise, reaching the quarterfinals in her first tournament. In 2004, she won her first professional title in Turkey. She won another title in Romania that same year.

In 2005, she continued to do well, reaching semifinals in several tournaments. By 2007, Makarova qualified for her first major tournament, the US Open. There, she won two matches before losing to the world's top player, Justine Henin.

Rising Through the Ranks: 2008–2011

In 2008, Ekaterina got her first win against a top-20 player at the Australian Open. She also beat a top-10 player at the US Open.

Makarova at the 2009 French Open

The year 2009 was important as she reached her first two WTA Tour singles finals. In 2010, Makarova won her first WTA Tour singles title at the Eastbourne International. She beat five top-20 players on her way to victory.

In 2011, she surprised many by defeating a high-ranked player, Ana Ivanovic, at the Australian Open. She reached the fourth round there, her best Grand Slam result at the time. She also made it to the fourth round of the French Open.

Big Breakthroughs: 2012–2014

The year 2012 was a major breakthrough for Ekaterina. At the Australian Open, she reached her first Grand Slam quarterfinal. She even beat the legendary Serena Williams in that tournament. Later that year, she won her first Grand Slam title in mixed doubles at the US Open with Bruno Soares.

Makarova at the 2013 French Open

In 2013, Ekaterina found great success in doubles with her partner Elena Vesnina. They won the French Open doubles title, which was her first Grand Slam in women's doubles. In singles, she reached the quarterfinals of the US Open.

Makarova at the 2014 Wimbledon Championships

Makarova continued her strong performance in 2014. She won her second singles title at the Pattaya Open. At Wimbledon, she reached the quarterfinals. Her biggest singles achievement came at the US Open, where she reached her first Grand Slam singles semifinal. She and Elena Vesnina also won the women's doubles title there, making it her third Grand Slam doubles championship.

Olympic Gold and World No. 1: 2015–2018

Makarova at the 2015 French Open

In 2015, Ekaterina reached her second Grand Slam singles semifinal at the Australian Open. This success helped her reach a new career-high singles ranking of No. 9 in the world. She and Vesnina also made it to the finals of Wimbledon in doubles.

Makarova at the 2016 US Open

The year 2016 was incredibly successful for Makarova and Vesnina. They won the gold medal in women's doubles at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio. They also won their first WTA Finals doubles title, a major year-end tournament.

Makarova at the 2017 Eastbourne International

In 2017, Ekaterina and Elena 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. Makarova also won her third WTA singles title at the Washington Open.

Makarova at the 2018 French Open

On June 11, 2018, Ekaterina Makarova became the world's No. 1 ranked doubles player. She and Vesnina won the doubles title at the Madrid Open. At Wimbledon, she had a big win against the second-seeded Caroline Wozniacki in singles.

Later Career and Retirement: 2019–2020

In 2019, Makarova continued to play, winning a doubles title at the St. Petersburg Ladies' Trophy. On January 28, 2020, Ekaterina Makarova announced her retirement from professional tennis.

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 her powerful shots and smart angles to win points.

She was left-handed, which gave her an advantage. Her serve, especially her slice serve, was very effective. She could make opponents stretch to reach the ball. Her forehand was strong, and her backhand was considered "devastatingly good." She often tried to end points quickly by hitting winners close to the lines.

Makarova was one of only two left-handed players to beat Serena Williams in a Grand Slam match, which she did at the 2012 Australian Open.

Career Statistics

For more detailed information about Ekaterina Makarova's tennis records, you can check out her full career statistics.

Grand Slam Tournament Finals

Ekaterina Makarova played in many Grand Slam finals in doubles and mixed doubles.

Doubles: 7 Finals (3 Wins, 4 Runner-ups)

• 2013 French Open: Won with Elena Vesnina.
• 2014 Australian Open: Runner-up with Elena Vesnina.
• 2014 US Open: Won with Elena Vesnina.
• 2015 Wimbledon: Runner-up with Elena Vesnina.
• 2016 French Open: Runner-up with Elena Vesnina.
• 2017 Wimbledon: Won with Elena Vesnina.
• 2018 Australian Open: Runner-up with Elena Vesnina.

Mixed Doubles: 2 Finals (1 Win, 1 Runner-up)

• 2010 Australian Open: Runner-up with Jaroslav Levinský.
• 2012 US Open: Won with Bruno Soares.

WTA Tour Championships Finals

Ekaterina also played in the WTA Finals, a special tournament for the best players at the end of the year.

Doubles: 2 Finals (1 Win, 1 Runner-up)

• 2013 WTA Championships: Runner-up with Elena Vesnina.
• 2016 WTA Finals: Won with Elena Vesnina.

Olympic Finals

Ekaterina Makarova achieved her dream of winning an Olympic medal.

Doubles: 1 Final (1 Gold Medal)

• 2016 Rio Summer Olympics: Won gold with Elena Vesnina.

Awards and Honors

Ekaterina Makarova received several awards during her career:

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

Images for kids

• 

  Makarova at the 2010 US Open

See also

In Spanish: Yekaterina Makárova para niños