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More and more WTA players are peaking in their late 20s and 30s, and the presence of professionals competing into their 40s feels like just the beginning of a trend that will gain momentum in the coming years. The landscape of women’s tennis is changing! Tomorrow in Dubai, we’ll witness one of the most striking examples of this generational shift: 41-year-old Vera Zvonareva will face 16-year-old Mika Stojsavljevic in the semifinals of a W100 ITF event.
The former world No. 2 Zvonareva has made a surprising return to action this week in the United Arab Emirates, entering the tournament as a wildcard. During the era when Russian women dominated the WTA Tour, Zvonareva was among the very best. Her singles peak came in the late 2000s and early 2010s. She reached her first Grand Slam final at Wimbledon 2010, defeating Jelena Jankovic and Kim Clijsters before falling to Serena Williams, and followed it with a run to the US Open final that same summer, beating world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki in the semis before losing to defending champion Clijsters.
In total, the Russian has captured 12 WTA singles titles and contested another 18 finals. Her last singles final came 14 years ago, in 2011. She has also built an outstanding doubles résumé, winning the 2006 and 2020 US Open titles and the Australian Open in 2012, plus mixed doubles titles at the US Open (2004) and Wimbledon (2006).
Besides being a world-class athlete, she managed to obtain two degrees: one from Russian State Academy of Physical Education and one in international economic relations at Diplomatic Academy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation in Moscow.
After giving birth in 2016, Zvonareva made a strong comeback, rising from No. 204 in 2017 to back inside the Top 100 by 2021. Her singles ranking later dipped, but she thrived in doubles—winning the 2020 US Open with Laura Siegemund, reaching the final again in 2023, and capturing the WTA Finals that year, finishing No. 9 in the doubles rankings.
Because she had not played a singles match since May 2024, many assumed the Russian had quietly stepped away from the sport. But this week proved otherwise. Not only is she back on court, she’s winning! Zvonareva has reached her first singles semifinal at any level since 2021, defeating No. 455 Sofya Lansere 7–5 2–6 6–3 in a grueling two-hour, 45-minute battle.
Additionally, she is into the doubles semifinals alongside Rada Zolotareva. The pair will next face Ankita Raina and Shrivalli Rashmikaa Bhamidipaty.
More than two decades into her professional career, Zvonareva is showing once again that age in tennis is becoming just a number. (sources: Tennis365, Tennis World USA; photo: Jimmie48)
