Yaroslava Shvedova facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Yaroslava Shvedova

Shvedova at the 2016 US Open
Country (sports)	Russia (2002–2008)  Kazakhstan (2008–2021)
Residence	Astana, Kazakhstan
Born	(1987-09-12) 12 September 1987 (age 37) Moscow, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union
Height	1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
Turned pro	September 2005
Retired	1 October 2021
Plays	Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Prize money	US$ 6,717,223
Singles
Career record	357–278 (56.22%)
Career titles	1
Highest ranking	No. 25 (29 October 2012)
Grand Slam singles results
Australian Open	3R (2015)
French Open	QF (2010, 2012)
Wimbledon	QF (2016)
US Open	4R (2016)
Other tournaments
Olympic Games	1R (2021)
Doubles
Career record	286–187 (60.47%)
Career titles	13
Highest ranking	No. 3 (22 February 2016)
Grand Slam doubles results
Australian Open	QF (2012)
French Open	F (2015)
Wimbledon	W (2010)
US Open	W (2010)
Grand Slam mixed doubles results
Australian Open	SF (2013)
French Open	F (2010)
Wimbledon	SF (2016)
US Open	QF (2015, 2016, 2021)
Team competitions
Fed Cup	25–18
Medal record Women's tennis Representing  Kazakhstan Asian Games Bronze 2014 Incheon Team event

Yaroslava Vyacheslavovna Shvedova (Яросла́ва Вячесла́вовна Шве́дова; born September 12, 1987) is a former professional tennis player from Kazakhstan. Before 2008, she played for her home country, Russia.

She won one singles title and 13 doubles titles on the WTA Tour. She also won one singles and one doubles title at WTA 125 tournaments. On top of that, she won four singles and three doubles titles on the ITF Circuit. Her highest singles ranking was world No. 25 in October 2012. In doubles, she reached No. 3 in February 2016.

Shvedova reached the quarterfinals in singles at three major tournaments: the French Open in 2010 and 2012, and Wimbledon in 2016. She won two Grand Slam women's doubles titles in 2010. She won at Wimbledon and the US Open, playing with American partner Vania King. Shvedova is also one of only seven players to achieve a golden set in the Open era. This means she won every point in a set without losing any. She did this at Wimbledon in 2012 against Sara Errani. It was the only time a golden set happened at a Grand Slam.

Yaroslava Shvedova's Tennis Journey

Starting Her Career (2006–2008)

In February 2007, Yaroslava surprised many by reaching the final of the Bangalore Open. She beat the favorite, Sania Mirza, in the quarterfinals. In the final, she won her first WTA Tour title by defeating Mara Santangelo. This win helped her enter the top 100 players for the first time, at No. 78.

At the 2007 Miami Open, she qualified for the main tournament. She then beat Ana Ivanovic, who would later become world No. 1. This was her first win against a top 20 player.

In August 2008, she won an ITF Circuit title in Mexico. She then qualified for the US Open but lost in the first round.

Grand Slam Progress (2009)

Shvedova after her match against Maria Sharapova at the 2009 French Open

In 2009, Shvedova qualified for the main tournament at the French Open. She made it to the third round, where she played a close match against former world No. 1, Maria Sharapova.

At the US Open, Shvedova achieved a big win. She beat the world No. 5, Jelena Janković, in a three-set match where she saved two match points.

Winning Major Doubles Titles (2010)

Shvedova had a great year in 2010. At the Barcelona Open, she reached the semifinals. She lost to Francesca Schiavone, who later won the French Open.

Her best singles result came at the French Open. She reached the quarterfinals, beating the eighth seed, Agnieszka Radwańska. In the quarterfinals, she lost to Jelena Janković. In mixed doubles, she and her partner Julian Knowle reached the final.

At the Wimbledon Championships, Shvedova teamed up with Vania King for doubles. They were not expected to win, but they surprised everyone. They won the tournament, beating strong teams along the way.

Shvedova and King continued their success at the US Open. They were seeded sixth and won their second major title in a row. The final match was played over two days because of rain.

Injuries and Comeback (2011–2012)

Shvedova at the 2011 Washington Open

Shvedova started 2011 with an injury to her right knee. This caused her to miss the Australian Open. She returned in February but continued to struggle with injuries throughout the year.

In July 2011, Shvedova and Sania Mirza won the doubles title at the Washington Open. Later that year, she and Vania King reached the final of the US Open for the second year in a row, but they lost.

Shvedova at the 2012 Wimbledon Championships

In 2012, Shvedova began to improve. She won an ITF title in Mexico. At the French Open, she qualified for the main draw. She then had a big win in the fourth round, beating the defending champion Li Na. This helped her reach her second French Open quarterfinal. Her ranking jumped from 142 to 62.

At the Wimbledon Championships, Shvedova made history. In her third-round match against Sara Errani, she won a "Golden Set." This means she won all 24 points in the first set without losing a single one. She won the match and reached the fourth round of Wimbledon for the first time. She then lost to the strong player, Serena Williams.

Shvedova ended 2012 ranked No. 29 in singles.

Ups and Downs (2013–2017)

Shvedova at the 2013 French Open

In 2013, Shvedova and Anabel Medina Garrigues won a doubles title in Brazil. She also won a doubles title with Tímea Babos in Uzbekistan. At the Madrid Open, she beat former world No. 1, Caroline Wozniacki. However, she had to withdraw from some matches due to a right arm injury.

Shvedova at the 2014 Madrid Open

In 2014, Shvedova continued to have good results in doubles. She and Anabel Medina Garrigues won two more titles. In singles, she reached the fourth round of Wimbledon.

Shvedova at the 2015 Wimbledon Championships

In 2015, Shvedova reached her first singles final since 2007 at the Copa Colsanitas. She also won a doubles title with Casey Dellacqua at the Madrid Open. They reached the doubles finals at the French Open and US Open, but lost both. She won her first WTA 125 title in singles in Thailand.

Shvedova at the 2016 French Open

In 2016, Shvedova had a strong run at Wimbledon. She reached the quarterfinals in singles for the first time in her career there. She beat several strong players before losing to Venus Williams. In doubles, she and Tímea Babos reached the Wimbledon final, but lost to the Williams sisters. She also reached the fourth round of the US Open.

In 2017, Shvedova had ankle surgery, which caused her to miss the rest of the season.

Return to Tennis and Retirement (2020–2021)

After her surgery and becoming a mother to twins, Shvedova returned to tennis in 2020. She played her first singles match since 2017 in Doha.

In 2021, she played in the Summer Olympics but had to retire from her first-round match due to heat illness.

On October 1, 2021, Yaroslava Shvedova announced her retirement from professional tennis at the Astana Open.

Playing Style

Yaroslava Shvedova is known for her powerful serve and strong groundstrokes (hitting the ball from the back of the court). She is also good at playing close to the net. Her favorite serve is a fast, flat serve down the middle. Sometimes, her forehand shot can be a bit inconsistent.

Personal Life

Yaroslava Shvedova was born in Moscow, Russia. Her father, Vyacheslav, and mother, Nurzia, were both athletes. Her mother was a professional runner who won a 100 km World Championship in 1992. Yaroslava has one brother. She started playing tennis at age 8.

In 2008, she changed her nationality from Russian to Kazakhstani. This was part of Kazakhstan's effort to improve its sports teams. In October 2018, Yaroslava gave birth to twins.

Images for kids

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  Shvedova after her match against Maria Sharapova at the 2009 French Open

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  Shvedova at the 2011 Washington Open

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  Shvedova at the 2012 Wimbledon Championships

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  Shvedova at the 2013 French Open

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  Shvedova at the 2014 Madrid Open

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  Shvedova at the 2015 Wimbledon Championships

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  Shvedova at the 2016 French Open