Kurumi Nara facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Kurumi Nara
奈良くるみ

Nara at the 2017 Wimbledon Championships
Country (sports)	Japan
Residence	Hyōgo, Japan
Born	(1991-12-30) 30 December 1991 (age 33) Osaka, Japan
Height	1.55 m (5 ft 1 in)
Turned pro	April 2009
Retired	September 2022
Plays	Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Coach	Natsuki Harada
Prize money	$2,868,337
Singles
Career record	385–320 (54.61%)
Career titles	1 WTA, 7 ITF
Highest ranking	No. 32 (18 August 2014)
Grand Slam singles results
Australian Open	3R (2014)
French Open	2R (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2019)
Wimbledon	2R (2010, 2014, 2015, 2016)
US Open	3R (2013, 2017)
Doubles
Career record	51–71 (41.8%)
Career titles	3 ITF
Highest ranking	No. 109 (2 May 2016)
Grand Slam doubles results
Australian Open	1R (2015, 2016, 2017)
French Open	1R (2014, 2015, 2017)
Wimbledon	2R (2015)
US Open	1R (2014)
Team competitions
Fed Cup	12–8

Kurumi Nara (奈良 くるみ, Nara Kurumi, born 30 December 1991) is a Japanese former professional tennis player. She was known for her strong forehand and patient playing style.

During her career, Kurumi won one singles title on the WTA Tour. She also earned seven singles and three doubles titles on the ITF Women's Circuit. Her highest singles ranking was world No. 32, which she reached on August 18, 2014. In doubles, she reached No. 109 on May 2, 2016. Kurumi Nara also proudly represented Japan in the Fed Cup, where she had a good record of 12 wins and 8 losses. She retired from professional tennis in September 2022.

Early Tennis Days

Kurumi Nara started playing tennis when she was just three years old. She trained at the Esaka Tennis Center in Osaka, Japan. Her coaches, Masaru Suishu and Hiroko Mochizuki, helped her develop her skills. People quickly noticed her talent, and she was seen as a young tennis star.

Elementary and Middle School Success

In 2002, when Kurumi was ten and in elementary school, she placed second in the All Japan Primary School Tennis Championships. The very next year, in 2003, she won that same tournament! After moving to middle school in 2004, she won the girls' singles title at the All Japan Middle School Tennis Championship.

High School and Junior Circuit

In 2007, as a high school freshman, Kurumi won the Under-18 singles title at the All-Japan Junior Tennis Championships. She also did very well in junior events across Japan. She teamed up with Misaki Doi for doubles on the ITF Junior Circuit. Together, they reached the finals of the girls' doubles at the Wimbledon Championships in 2007, finishing second. This was a big achievement, as they were only the second Japanese women's doubles pair to reach a Grand Slam junior final since 1993. The Nara/Doi team also made it to the junior doubles semifinals at the 2007 US Open and 2008 Wimbledon Championships.

Junior Singles Achievements

Kurumi also shined in singles. In 2007, she became the first Japanese woman to win the Osaka Mayor's Cup since 2002. She also played in the All Japan Tennis Championships, where she surprised many by defeating the defending champion, Erika Takao. In 2008, she partnered with Kimiko Date-Krumm to win the Kangaroo Cup and the Hamanako Open. She reached the third round of the 2008 US Open girls' singles tournament.

Professional Tennis Journey

Kurumi Nara officially became a professional tennis player in April 2009. That same year, she won the All Japan Tennis Championships.

First Grand Slam Appearances (2010)

In 2010, Kurumi made it into the main draw of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time at the French Open. Her qualifying match was incredibly long, lasting over four hours! She then qualified for Wimbledon, where she won her first main-draw Grand Slam singles match.

Climbing the Ranks (2011-2013)

After a few years of trying, Kurumi qualified for the main draw of the 2013 US Open. She had a great run, reaching the third round of a Grand Slam for the first time. She even upset a higher-ranked player, Sorana Cîrstea. Later that year, she reached the semifinals of the Japan Women's Open in her home city.

Breakthrough Year (2014)

Nara at the 2014 Wimbledon Championships

The year 2014 was a big one for Kurumi. She started strong at the Auckland Open, reaching the quarterfinals. At the Australian Open, she made it to the third round.

In February 2014, Kurumi won her first ever WTA Tour title at the Rio Open in Brazil. This big win helped her break into the top 50 players in the world, reaching No. 48. She continued to play well, reaching the final of the Washington Open later that year. She also made it to the doubles final at the Washington Open with her partner Hiroko Kuwata. Kurumi finished 2014 ranked No. 44 in the world.

Staying in the Top 100 (2015)

Kurumi continued to play consistently in 2015. She reached the semifinals of the Hobart International and the quarterfinals of the Malaysian Open. She also made it to the third round of the Miami Open. At the French Open and Wimbledon, she reached the second round. She ended the year ranked No. 83, staying within the top 100 players.

Retirement (2022)

Kurumi Nara played her final professional tournament in September 2022 at the Pan Pacific Open in Japan. She retired after a long and successful career.

Playing Style and Equipment

Kurumi Nara was known for her patient and smart playing style. She didn't always hit the ball with extreme power like some players. Instead, she would carefully build up points, using angles and gradually increasing the strength of her shots. She liked to finish points with a strong forehand or a volley. Her serve relied more on good placement and spin rather than raw power. Even though she was not very tall, her aggressive style focused on gaining control of the game and finishing points effectively.

Kurumi preferred to play on hardcourts. She used a Srixon racquet and Dunlop Sport shoes during her career.

Career Highlights

Kurumi Nara had a successful career, winning one WTA singles title and several ITF titles. She consistently competed in Grand Slam tournaments and reached a career-high ranking of world No. 32. Her dedication and strategic play made her a respected player on the tour.

Grand Slam Singles Results

WTA Tour Singles Finals

Result	Tournament	Surface	Opponent	Score
Win	Rio Open, Brazil (2014)	Clay	Klára Zakopalová	6–1, 4–6, 6–1
Loss	Washington Open, US (2014)	Hard	Svetlana Kuznetsova	3–6, 6–4, 4–6

Wins Over Top-10 Players

Kurumi Nara achieved a notable win over a top-10 ranked player during her career:

#	Player	Rank	Event	Surface	Round	Score
1.	Svetlana Kuznetsova	No. 8	US Open	Hard	2R	6–3, 3–6, 6–3

See also

In Spanish: Kurumi Nara para niños