KRUNIC, ALEKSANDRA Serbian Cyrillic: Александра Крунић)
Serbia
Born 15 March 1993 in Moscow, Russia
Height: 5' 4" (1.63m)
Plays: Right-handed with two-handed backhand
[Active: 2008-present]

Born in Moscow to Serbian parents. Having lived in Moscow, Bratislava, and Belgrade, she speaks Serbian, Slovak, Russian and English fluently. She has resided with her gradparents in Belgrade since 2013.

Krunic has a penchant for volleying, drop shots, and off pace dinks and slices. Krunic has been helped by having Serbain #1 Jelena Jenkovic as a sort of mentor.

Two of her best wins have been over Garbine Muguruza and Petra Kvitova.

Personal:

Coached by Sarah Stone... Parents are Bratislav and Ivana (both work for an electrical appliances company); younger sister is Anastasia ... Still considers Moscow her hometown but lives with her grandparents in Serbia ... Started playing at age 3 ... Favorite shot is drop shot; favorite surface is clay ... Tennis idols growing up were Kim Clijsters and Mary Pierce ... Other interests include psychology and criminology; other hobbies include bowling, shopping and driving her car ... Favorite tournament is Baku; favorite Grand Slam is Australian Open.

Career Highlights:

SINGLES

Winner (1): 2018 - 's-Hertogenbosch; 2017 - 125/Bol. Winner of 9 ITF titles.

Finalist (1): 2017 - Guangzhou.

DOUBLES

Winner (2): 2016 - Rabat (w/Knoll); 2014 - Tashkent (w/Siniakova).

Finalist (2): 2016 - 's-Hertogenbosch (w/Knoll); 2013 - Baku (w/Daniilidou).

Career high singles ranking: #39 on 16 June 2018

WTA Year-End Rankings:

2018: #57
2017: #55
2016: #147
2015: #96
2014: #101
2013: #145
2012: #168
2011: #226
2010: #224
2009: #632

Sources:

Aleksandra Krunic | WTA Tennis
Aleksandra Krunic: ?I don?t care of slams, I dream of the Olympics? ? SPAZIO TENNIS

 

VEKIC, DONNA (Donna Vekić)
Croatia
Born 28 June 1986 in Osijek, Croatia
Height: 1.79 m (5 ft 10 in)
Plays Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
[Active 2010-present]

Personal:

Coached by Torben Beltz ... Father is Igor; mother is Brankica ... Favorite surface is hardcourts ... Speaks Croatian, English and Italian ... Self-described as strong-willed, determined and extremely competitive.

Career Highlights:

SINGLES

Winner (2): 2017 - Nottingham; 2014 - Kuala Lumpur. Winner of 5 ITF events.
Finalist (6): 2019 - St. Petersburg, Nottingham; 2018 - Washington DC; 2015 - Tashkent; 2013 - Birmingham; 2012 - Tashkent.

In 2018 her ranking has risen to an apex of #34 on 22 October 2018. 2018 has also seen her best result in a major with her 4th round showing at Wimbledon. 2019 was even better, as Donna made the quarters at Wimbledon (her first quality finish in a major) and ended the year just inside the top 20 at #19.

First fell in love with tennis at the age of six.

Like many tennis players she resides in Monte Carlo for tax purposes. One of her superstitions involves food. Donna eats the same dish during a tournament.

Unwanted notoriety came to the Croat in 2015. In a heated match between Nick Kyrios and Stan Wawrinka her love life was dragged out into public view. Nick shouted at Wawrinka, "Kokkinakis banged your girlfriend. Sorry to tell you that, mate.” Stan was still married at the time at the time he was dating Vekic but had announced he was seeking a divorce. As of late 2018 they are still a couple.

YEAR-END WTA Ranking

2020: #32
2019: #19 (Career high #19 on 04 November)
2018: #34
2017: #56
2016: #101
2015: #105
2014: #84
2013: #86
2012: #118
2011: #392

With boyfriend Stan Wawrinka in 2018

Sources:


Donna Vekic | Player Stats & More – WTA Official

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donna_Vekić
Donna Veki? | Personal page od Donna Veki?, Croatian tennis player
Nick Kyrgios and Stan Wawrinka 'involved in locker room bust-up' after girlfriend slur

 

KOZLOVA, KATERYNA (Kateryna Ihorivna Kozlova in Ukrainian: Катерина Ігорівна Козлова)
Ukraine
Born 20 February 1994 in Mykolaiv, Ukraine
Height: 5' 9" (1.75m)
Plays: Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
[Active 2008-present]

Upset defending French Open Champion Jelena Ostapenko in the 1st round of the 2018 French Open.

On 27 May 2015, the International Tennis Federation announced that Kozlova has been found to have committed an anti-doping rule violation. She was found positive to a doping substance after taking a stimulant, dimethylbutylamine. Kozlova's suspension was reduced to six months since 15 February to 15 August 2015.

Since then she has been ranked inside the top 100 for four consecutive years. Despite being Ukrainian she is based out of Moscow, Russia.

Personal:

Father is Igore; mother is Lyudmyla; sister is Nadiya; has a cat named Nanya ... Trains in Moscow ... Introduced to tennis by father at age 5 ... Favorite surface is hard; favorite shots are drop shot and slice ... Speaks Russian, English and Ukrainian ... Also enjoys going to the cinema and reading (favorite book is Divergent by Veronica Roth) ... Tennis players most admired are Martina Hingis and Roger Federer; also admires Angelina Jolie ... Favorite cities are New York (for its shopping) and Rome (for the sights and food) ... If not a tennis player, would have been a psychologist or hip hop dancer.

Career Highlights:

SINGLES

Winner: 2017 - 125/Dalian.

Finalist (1): Taipei City.

ADDITIONAL

Ukrainian Fed Cup Team, 2015.

Highest ranking: #62 (19 February 2018)

Year-End Top 100 Rankings

2019: #89
2018: #99
2017: #86
2016: #98

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kateryna_Kozlova
https://www.wtatennis.com/players/player/316739/title/kateryna-kozlova-0#bio

 

DODIN, OCEANE
France

 

BRENGLE, MADISON
United States
Born 03 April 1990 in Dover, Delaware
[Active 2004-present]

Had a win in 2017 over Serena Williams at Auckland.

From 2008 to 2014 she failed to make it out of qualifying in grand slams. This losing streak was broken when she won a first round match at the US Open.

Personal:
Coached by former WTA player Julie Coin... Father's name is Dan; brother's name is David (also plays tennis) ... Baseliner whose favorite shot is backhand and whose favorite surface is grass ... Began playing at age 2 when mother introduced her to the sport ... Also plays volleyball; enjoys skim boarding ... Favorite color is pink ... Favorite type of music is rock; favorite artist is Steely Dan ... Favorite movie is Lord of the Rings ... Favorite city to visit is Miami.

Career Highlights:

SINGLES

15 ITF titles
Finalist (1): 2015 - Hobart.

DOUBLES

7 ITS titles

Top 100 WTA Rankings

2019: #94
2018: #90
2017: #82
2016: #75
2015: #40 (Career high at #34 on 15 May)
2014: #91

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madison_Brengle

 

LEPCHENKO, VARVARA
Uzbekistan/United States

 

BOUCHARD, EUGENIE
Canada

 

MCHALE, CHRISTINA
United States

 

LARSON, JOHANNA
Sweden

 

BRADY, JENNIFER
United States
Born 12 April 1995 in Harrisburg, Pennsylvnia
Height: 5' 10" (1.78m)
Plays: Right-handed
[Active 2010-present]

2020 US Open Semifinalist.
2019 Australian Open semifinalist (with Alison Riske)

2017 was her first season inside the top 100 at #64. After a 2018 sump she returned to the top 100 at #56. 2020 was her best year yet. Brady pushed Naomi Osaka to 6-7 6-3 6-3 in the semis. Osaka went on to win the title. Her 1st WTA title at Lexington was icing on the cake.

Can she continue her upward trajectory?

Personal:

Coached by Roger Anderson ... Currently trains with the USTA in Boca Raton Mother's name is Elizabeth; father's name is Patrick; has twin sister, Jessica ... Started playing tennis at age 7 ... Favorite surface is clay ... Tennis idols growing up were Justine Henin and Lleyton Hewitt ... Also enjoys spending time outdoors, listening to music, and hanging with friends and family ... Favorite tournament is Indian Wells; favorite Grand Slam is Australian Open.

Career Highlights:

SINGLES
Winner (1): 2020 - Lexington.

ADDITIONAL
WTA 125K Series Titles - Singles: Finalist (1): 2019 - Indian Wells; Doubles: Finalist (1): 2018 - Indian Wells (w/King)

DOUBLES

Finalist: 2018 - 125/Indian Wells (w/King).

Year-End WTA Top 100 Rankings

2020: #24
2019: #56
2017: #67

Jennifer Brady | WTA Tennis

 

HADDAD MAIA, BEATRIZ
Brazil

 

DIYAS, ZARINA
Kazakhstan
Born 18 October 1993 in Almaty, Kazakhstan
Height: 5 ft 7 1⁄2 in (1.72m)
Plays: Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
[Active 2007-present]

Winner (1): 2017 - Tokyo [Japan Open] 7 ITF titles
Finalist (1): 2014 - Osaka.

Twice (2014 and 2015) to the 4R at Wimbledon.

Career high singles: #31 on 12 January 2015.

Diyas began tennis at the age of just six when introduced to the game by her mother. From the age of 5 to 12 she lived in the Czech Republic. Diyas currently lives in Kazakhstan but often trains in China, the home of her coach Alan Ma.

Enjoys playing chess, listening to music, and watching movies as some of her favorite hobbies. Diyas is fluent in Russian, Czech, and English.Her tennis idols are Justine Henin, Martina Hingis, and Serena Williams.

A wrist injury hindered her game and ranking in the 2nd half of 2016. Zarina took time off to recover from wrist surgery. She bounced back nicely in 2017 with 2 ITS titles and capturing the Japan Open-her biggest title to date.

Baseline aggression and a keen fighting spirit make her a capable member of the top 100. A lack of real weapons and movement suggest a ceiling of about 30 in the rankings.

Personal:

Coached by Roberto Antonini ... Mother is Aida Aubelova; sister is Alisa ... Started playing tennis at age 6 ... Mainly based in Guangzhou, China; lived in Czech Republic from age 5 to 12 ... Studying psychology at university via correspondence ... Hobbies include listening to music, playing chess, watching films, shopping and swimming ... Tennis idols growing up were Martina Hingis, Justine Henin and Serena Williams.

Career Highlights:

SINGLES

Winner (1): 2017 - Tokyo [Japan Open].

Finalist (1): 2014 - Osaka.

WTA Year-End Ranking

2019: #78
2018: #91
2017: #66
2016: #148 (out 2nd half of year due to wrist surgery)
2015: #52
2014: #34
2013: #163
2012: #265
2011: #223
2010: #173
2009: #206

At Wimbledon in 2017

Sources:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zarina_Diyas
https://www.wtatennis.com/players/player/315696/title/Zarina-DIYAS-0

[Thanks to Rollo for this information]

 

RISKE, ALISON
United States
Born 03 July 1990 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Married Steven Amritraj on 22 July 2019 in Pittsburgh
Nickname: "Ally"
Height: 5' 9" (1.75m)
Plays: Righthanded with a two-handed backhand
[Active 2004-present]

2019 Wimbledon quarterfinalist

More solid than spectacular. Maximizing her talent, Ally has landed in the top 100 for the last 7 seasons. She really only hit the tour full time in 2009 as she took time to complete college. Since 2014 she has played in the main draw at all 4 majors.

2019 was her best year yet with 1 tour title at Den Bosch and 2 finals. At Wimbledon Ally upset world #1 Ash Barty. Serena Williams ended her Wimbledon run in the quarters 6-4 4-6 6-3.

Ally on her wedding day with husband Steven Amritraj

Career Highlights:

SINGLES

Winner (2): 2019 - 's-Hertogenbosch; 2014 - Tianjin.
Finalist (7): 2019 - Shenzhen, Wuhan; 2018 - Nürnberg; 2017 - Shenzhen; 2016 - Shenzhen, Nottingham, Tianjin.

Personal:

Coached by Billy Heiser ... Parents, Albert and Carol, are retired; sister is Sarah McGlamery (formerly coached her), brother is Daniel ... Started playing tennis at age 3 (siblings did and father started her too) ... Aggressive style of play; liked watching Monica Seles ... Earned tennis scholarship to Vanderbilt University in summer 2009; after good results and finding backing decided to play on WTA ... Enjoys writing (keeps a journal), reading and spending time with family and friends ... If hadn't been a tennis player, would have gone into medicine.

Career High Singles ranking: #18 on 04 November 2019
Career High Doubles ranking: #78 on 20 October 2014

Year-End WTA Rankings

2020: #26
2019: #18
2018: #63
2017: #70
2016: #41
2015: #97
2014: #45
2013: #57
2012: #179
2011: #135
2010: #118
2009: #222
2008: #895
2007: #627

Sources:

Alison Riske - Wikipedia
Alison Riske | Player Stats & More – WTA Official

[Thanks to Rollo for this information]

 

LINETTE, MAGDA
Poland
Born 12 February 1992 in Poznan, Poland
[Active 2007-present]

Won a WTA title for the 2nd consecutive year at Hua Hin. She's now been in the WTA top 100 6 straight years.

Coached by Izo Zunic and Mark Gellard ... Parents are Tomasz and Beata; sister is Dagmara ... Started playing at age 6 ... Favorite shot is backhand; favorite surfaces are hard and grass ... Tennis idol growing up was Monica Seles ... Favorite tournament is Roland Garros ... Other interests include learning languages and reading books.

Career Highlights:

SINGLES
Winner (2): 2020 - Hua Hin; 2019 - Bronx; 2014 - 125/Ningbo.
Finalist (2): 2019 - Seoul; 2015 - Tokyo [Japan Open].

DOUBLES
Finalist (2): 2017 - Bogotá (w/Cepede Royg); 2016 - Hong Kong (w/Y.Xu); 2014 - Guangzhou (w/Cornet).

ADDITIONAL
Polish Fed Cup Team, 2011-12, 2016-20; Polish Olympic Team, 2016.

ADDITIONAL

Polish Fed Cup Team, 2011-12, 2016; Polish Olympic Team, 2016.

Year End WTA Top 100 Ranking

2020: #40
2019: #42
2018: #83
2017: #71
2016: #96
2015: #89

Magda Linette | WTA Official
Magda Linette

 

VAN UYTVANCK, ALISON
Belgium
Born 26 March 1994 in Vilvoorde
Height: 5' 8" (1.73m)
Plays: Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
[Active 2010-present]

2015 French Open quarterfinalist

One of the few "gingers" (redheads) on the circuit, Alison is fast becoming as sort of indoor Queen of lower level events-as all 2018 all 3 of her tour titles have come indoors. Openly gay, her partner is fellow tennis player Greet Minnen.

The Belgian defended her Budapest title in 2019. Alison saved a stunning 6 match points in the quarters versus upcoming star Aryna Sablenka, going on to win her 3rd WTA title.

[WTA Profile]

Personal:

Currently without a coach ... Mother is Krista Laemers; father is René Van Uytvanck; older brother is Sean, twin brother is Brett ... Began playing at age 5 ... Baseliner whose favorite shot is serve; favorite surface is grass ... Speaks Dutch, English, French and some German ... Relaxes by going on computer or listening to music ... Favorite place to visit is Prague; favorite tournament is Brussels (was her first WTA event) ... Superstition is starting each tournament in same outfit ... People most admired are her coach and Kim Clijsters.

Career Highlights:

SINGLES

Winner (3): 2019-Budapest; 2018 - Budapest; 2017 - Québec City; 2013 - 125/Taipei.
11 ITS titles

DOUBLES

Winner (1): 2018 - Luxembourg (w/Minnen).

Finalist (1): 2015 - Antwerp (w/Mestach).

WTA Year-End Ranking

2020: #63
2019: #47
2018: #50 (career high #37 on 13 August 2018. Budapest title and 4R Wimbledon)
2017: #75 (Title at Quebec)
2016: #124 (dealing with injurues)
2015: #42 (French quaterfinalist)
2014: #80
2013: #129
2012: #220
2011: #297
2010: #829

With girlfriend Greet

Sources:
Alison Van Uytvanck | Officiële website [her official site]
Alison Van Uytvanck | WTA Official

Alison Van Uytvanck - Wikipedia
WTA love match: Alison Van Uytvanck and Greet Minnen | Women's Tennis Blog


Budapest F: (1) Van Uytvanck def (8) Vondrousova 16 75 62

 

FLIPKENS, KIRSTEN
Belgium
Born 10 January 1986 in Geel, BelgiumHeight: 5' 5" (1.65m)
Plays: Right-handed (two-handed backhand-but often uses one handed slice)
Nickname: Flippers"
Trademarks: Prescription glasses and wearing a headband
[Active: 2001-present]

Surprise 2013 Wimbldon semifinalist.

2003 Wimbledon and US Open junior champion.

Personal:

Father's name is Marino; mother's name is Carly ... Began playing tennis at age 4 ... Speaks English, Dutch, French, German ... Enjoys seeing movies, surfing the internet and hanging out with friends.

Career Highlights:

SINGLES

Winner (1): 2012 - Québec City.

Finalist (3): 2018 - 's-Hertogenbosch; 2016 - Monterrey; 2013 - 's-Hertogenbosch.

DOUBLES

Winner (5): 2019 - Mallorca (w/Larsson); 2018 - Lugano (w/Mertens), Linz (w/Larsson); 2017 - 's-Hertogenbosch (w/Cibulkova); 2016- Seoul (w/Larsson).

Finalist (7): 2019 - Hobart (w/Larsson), Eastbourne (w/Mattek-Sands); 2018 - Budapest, Nürnberg (both w/Larsson), 's-Hertogenbosch (w/Bertens); 2017 - Nürnberg (w/Larsson), Luxembourg (w/Bouchard).


Top 100 WTA Rankings

2019: #95
2018: #48
2017: #76
2016: #63
2015: #93
2014: #46
2013: #20
2012: #54
2010: #77
2009: #81

Sources:

Kirsten Flipkens | Flipkens
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kirsten_Flipkens
https://www.wtatennis.com/players/player/310331/title/Kirsten-FLIPKENS-0

 

CEPEDE ROYG, VERONICA (Verónica Cepede Royg)
Paraguay
Born 21 January 1992 in Asuncion
Height: 5' 4" (1.63m)
Plays Right-handed with two-handed backhand
[Active 2006-present]

#1 player from Paraguay.

2017 has been her best year to date-with a 4th round finish at the French and her first year ranked in the top 100. Her defensive style of play relies on high looped balls with depth. Not surprisingly her best results are on clay. Her ability to compete is strong, but it is doubtful if she can sustain a top 100 ranking for any length of time.

Highest career singles ranking: #73 on 07 August 2017
Highest career doubles ranking: #85 on 19 September 2016

Personal:

Coached by Ramon Delgado ... Father is Eduardo (owns gas station); mother is Edith (retired dentist); brother is Andres (economist); sister is Estefania (architect) ... Introduced to tennis at age 5 by siblings ... Aggressive baseliner; favorite shot is forehand ... Favorite tournament is Roland Garros; favorite surface is clay ... Speaks Spanish and English ... Tennis idols growing up were Roger Federer and Kim Clijsters ... Enjoys going to the cinema and spending time with family and friends ... If hadn't been a tennis player, would have become a nutritionist ... Long-term goal is to reach Top 20.

Career Highlights:

SINGLES

Winner: 2015: 125K Carlsbad. 14 ITF titles.

DOUBLES

Winner (1): 2016 - Rio de Janeiro (w/Irigoyen); 2015 - 125/Carlsbad (w/Ce).

Finalist (2): 2017 - Bogotá (w/Linette), Acapulco (w/Duque-Mariño).


WTA YEAR-End Rankings in Top 100:

2017: #77

Sources:


Veronica Cepede Royg | WTA Tennis


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Verónica_Cepede_Royg


[Thanks to Rollo for this information]

 

GIORGI, CAMILLA
Italy
[Active 2006-present]

2018 Wimbledon quarterfinalist.

Like many tennis pros she has an international background. Her dad Sergio is from Argentina. Her mother is Italian. Is is at least in part Jewish, as early in her career Giorgi was in negotiations to play for Israel.

Strikingly attractive enough to resemble a model, this hard hitting Italian goes for broke. Her shots are hard and flat. Camila refuses to retreat from the baseline, hitting balls on the rise even when facing a harder hitter. This makes her dangerous to higher ranking players, but also less predictable, as on an "off" day she can lose to anyone. She often saves match points-and just as often nerves fail her at the end and she often loses matches after having match points. Her omnipresent father Segio, who doubles as her coach, is easy to spot, with his hair resembling a mad scientist.

Her lone slam quarterfinal, the 2018 Wimbledon Championships, offers a perfect example of her playing style. Giorgi took the first set against Serena Williams. She was unable to sustain it however, and as errors mounted as she continued to go for lines. She eventually lost 3-6 6-3 6-4 in a ferocious display of hard hitting by both ladies.

Camila struggled to find form in 2019. Her best results were the finals at Washington and The Bronx Open. On the downside she lost more often than not in the opening round, ending the year 12-16.

Personal:

Coached by father, Sergio ... Mother's name is Claudia; brothers are Leandro and Amadeus; sister is Antonela ... Began playing tennis at age 5 at a local club (introduced to the sport by father) ... Favorite surface is hardcourts ... Favorite film director is Pedro Almodovar; favorite book is The Diary Of Anne Frank ... Loves the color pink ... Also enjoys boxing, soccer and MotoGP ... Most relaxing place to be is the Bahamas.

Career Highlights:

SINGLES

Winner (2): 2018 - Linz; 2015 - 's-Hertogenbosch.

Finalist (6): 2019 - Washington DC, Bronx; 2016 - Katowice; 2015 - Katowice; 2014 - Katowice, Linz.

2018 Wimbledon quaterfinalist

ADDITIONAL

Italian Fed Cup Team, 2014-16, 2019.

Year End Top 100 WTA Rankings

2019: #98
2018: #26 (#26 on 22 October a career high)
2017: #79
2016: #83
2015: #34
2014: #35
2013: #93
2012: #79

Giorgi at Eastbourne in 2018

With her father Sergio

Sources:

https://www.wtatennis.com/players/player/314610/title/Camila-GIORGI-0



https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Camila_Giorgi

https://www.spaziotennis.com/wta/se...is.com/wta/sergio-giorgi-i-love-brilliant-madness-cannot-stand-commonness/37732

https://bleacherreport.com/articles...85340-serena-williams-tops-camila-giorgi-advances-to-2018-wimbledon-semi-finals


Sources:

 

URE, "GWEN" (Gwendolen Helen Ure)
Australia
Born 11 January 1901 in Norwood, South Australia
Died in 1980
Married James McCarthy on 2 April 1927 in North Walkerville Church Hall, Adelaide
[Active circa 1920-25]

Gwen Ure was a pupil the Methodist Ladies’ College in Adelaide. She later attended the University of Adelaide, where she studied law, winning several prizes and the prestigious Stow scholarship. She later practised as a solicitor.

Below is a link to a photo in which Gwen Ure is featured. The photo is of the Adelaide University tennis team that took on a team from Sydney University in an intervarsity match in 1923.

Standing, left to right (Adelaide): Madeleine Hardy, Gwen Ure (captain), Joan Taplin, Lyndall Morris
Seated, left to right (Sydney): Gwen Jones, Louie Bickerton, Ella Hunt, P. Miller

https://digital.library.adelaide.edu...nis%201923.JPG


[Thanks to Newmark for this information]

 

SNYDER, TARA
United States
Born 26 May 1977 in Wichita Kansas.
Married Brent Haygarth on 06 March 2009 in in Dallas, Texas
[Active in the late 1990's and early 2000's]

Reached world no. 33 in singles in November 1998.
Played singles in 16 Grand Slam tournaments between 1997 and 2004. Best was 3rd round of 1999 US Open beating Mirjana Lucic in the 2nd round in the year when Lucic was a Wimbledon semi finalist.

Married Brent Haygarth in Dallas 6th March 2009. Haygarth's mother is the South African tennis star of the early 1960's Renee Schuurman.

Sources:

Various WTA media guides and www.ancestry.co.uk

[Thanks to Rosamund for this information]