Diana Maximovna Shnaider (Russian: Диа́на Макси́мовна Шна́йдер, pronounced [dʲɪˈanə mɐˈksʲiməvnə ˈʂnaɪ̯dɛr]; born 2 April 2004) is a Russian professional tennis player.[3] She has career-high rankings of world No. 12 in singles, achieved on 4 November 2024 and No. 48 in doubles, set on 7 October 2024.

Diana Shnaider
Shnaider at the 2023 US Open
Full nameDiana Maximovna Shnaider
Country (sports) Russia
ResidenceMoscow, Russia
Born (2004-04-02) 2 April 2004 (age 20)
Zhigulevsk, Russia[1]
Turned proMay 2023
PlaysLeft-handed (two-handed backhand)
CollegeNC State
CoachIgor Andreev[2]
Prize moneyUS$ 2,016,461
Singles
Career record148–66
Career titles4
Highest rankingNo. 12 (4 November 2024)
Current rankingNo. 13 (11 November 2024)
Grand Slam singles results
Australian Open2R (2023)
French Open2R (2023)
Wimbledon3R (2024)
US Open4R (2024)
Other tournaments
Olympic Games2R (2024)
Doubles
Career record44–33
Career titles1 WTA Challenger
Highest rankingNo. 48 (7 October 2024)
Current rankingNo. 50 (4 November 2024)
Grand Slam doubles results
Australian Open3R (2024)
French OpenQF (2024)
Wimbledon2R (2024)
US Open1R (2024)
Medal record
Representing  Individual Neutral Athletes
Olympic Games
Silver medal – second place 2024 Paris Doubles
Last updated on: 10 November 2024.

She won women's doubles silver at the 2024 Paris Olympics with partner Mirra Andreeva.[4]

Early life

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Shnaider was born in Zhigulevsk to father Maxim and mother Yulia. Her father is a lawyer and former boxer of German descent, while her mother is an English teacher. Her family later moved to Tolyatti.[5]

She began playing tennis at the age of four. At the age of eight, she began pursuing the sport seriously, training with coach Samvel Minasyan in Moscow.[5] In 2022, she moved to the United States and enrolled at North Carolina State University, where she played college tennis for the NC State Wolfpack.[6][7]

Shnaider's signature on-court look features a blue polka-dot bandana. She began wearing headscarves as a child to prevent sunburn, preferring them over caps and visors.[8][9]

Junior career

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She won the girls' doubles titles at the 2021 Wimbledon Championships, partnering Belarusian Kristina Dmitruk, and the 2022 Australian Open, partnering with American Clervie Ngounoue.[10]

On the ITF Junior Circuit, Shnaider had a career-high combined ranking of No. 3, achieved on 13 December 2021.

Grand Slam performance

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Singles:

  • Australian Open: QF (2022)
  • French Open: SF (2021)
  • Wimbledon: 1R (2019, 2021)
  • US Open: SF (2022)

Doubles:

  • Australian Open: W (2022)
  • French Open: F (2020)
  • Wimbledon: W (2021)
  • US Open: W (2022)

Professional

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2022: First WTA 125 title

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Shnaider won her first WTA 125 title at the Montevideo Open, defeating Léolia Jeanjean in straight sets in the final.[11]

2023: Major debut, WTA Tour final, top 60

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Shnaider made her Grand Slam tournament debut at the 2023 Australian Open, after qualifying into the main draw.[12] She defeated Kristína Kučová for her first win at a major,[13] before losing in the second round to sixth seed Maria Sakkari.[14] As a result, she reached the top 100, at world No. 94, on 30 January 2023.[citation needed]

After the Australian Open, Shnaider played one season of college tennis for North Carolina State.[15] She went 20–3 in singles to help the Wolfpack win the ACC tournament and reach the 2023 NCAA Championships final.[16] She was named the ACC tournament's most valuable player and ACC Freshman of the Year and received first-team All-ACC and All-American honors in singles and doubles.[16]

At the Budapest Grand Prix, she defeated top seed Bernarda Pera,[17] but lost in the second round to lucky loser and eventual champion Maria Timofeeva.[18] Shnaider reached the semifinals at the Hamburg Open defeating third seed Bernarda Pera in the quarterfinals,[19] before losing to home favorite, wildcard Noma Noha Akugue.[20]

In her debut at the Asian swing, she defeated eighth seed Claire Liu at the Guangzhou Open.[21] She lost in the second round to Wang Xiyu [22] At the next tournament, she reached the semifinals second seed Petra Kvitová at the Ningbo Open.[23] Next, she defeated Linda Fruhvirtová to reach her first WTA Tour final[24] but lost to top seed Ons Jabeur.[25] Following a semifinal showing at the Jiangxi Open,[26] she reached the top 60 on 23 October 2023.[citation needed]

2024: Four WTA titles, doubles Olympic silver, top 20

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In Hua Hin, Thailand, she reached her fourth career quarterfinal, defeating top seed Magda Linette[27] and Paula Badosa by retirement.[28] Next, she defeated qualifier Dalma Gálfi[29] and third seed Wang Xinyu[30] to reach her second career final. Shnaider then defeated second seed Zhu Lin in three sets to win her first ever WTA Tour title.[31] At the Miami Open, she lost in the second round to 17th seed Madison Keys.[32]

She won her second career title at the 2024 Bad Homburg Open defeating Donna Vekić in the final.[33] As a result, she reached the top 30 on 1 July 2024. On her Wimbledon debut, she advanced to the third round with wins over former finalist Karolína Plíšková[34] and Sloane Stephens,[2][35] before losing to 19th seed Emma Navarro.[36]

Shnaider won her third title of the year at the Budapest Grand Prix, defeating Aliaksandra Sasnovich in straight sets in the final.[37][38] Subsequently, she moved up to a career-high singles ranking No. 18 on 19 August 2024.[39]

At the Paris Olympics, Shnaider partnered with Mirra Andreeva to win silver in the women's doubles, losing in the final to Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini.[40]

Seeded sixth at the Pan Pacific Open in October, she reached the semifinals with a win over Viktoriya Tomova[41] along with a quarterfinal walkover against injured qualifier Sayaka Ishii.[42] She lost in the last four to top seed and eventual champion Zheng Qinwen.[43]

As the Hong Kong Open, where she was top seed, Shnaider defeated qualifier Kyoka Okamura,[44] Priscilla Hon,[45] Suzan Lamens[46] and defending champion and third seed Leylah Fernandez[47] to reach the final where she overcame second seed Katie Boulter in straight sets to claim her fourth title of the season.[48][49]

Career statistics

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Grand Slam singles performance timeline

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Current through the 2024 French Open.

Tournament 2023 2024 SR W–L Win %
Grand Slam tournaments
Australian Open 2R 1R 0 / 2 1–2 33%
French Open 2R 1R 0 / 2 1–2 33%
Wimbledon Q2 3R 0 / 1 2–1 67%
US Open Q2 4R 0 / 1 3–1 75%
Win–loss 2–2 5–4 0 / 6 7–6 54%

Summer Olympics

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Doubles: 1 (silver medal)

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Result Year Tournament Surface Partner Opponents Score
Silver 2024 Paris Olympics Clay   Mirra Andreeva   Sara Errani
  Jasmine Paolini
6–2, 1–6, [7–10]

Notes

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References

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  1. ^ Veyovich, Kirill (July 25, 2023). "Вот так старт! Шнайдер уверенно прошла в 1/4 финала Гамбурга, не оставив шансов сопернице". championat.com (in Russian). Moscow: Championat (Russian website). Retrieved July 25, 2023.
  2. ^ a b "Shnaider accelerates up grass learning curve with new coaching hire". July 3, 2024.
  3. ^ Clarey, Christopher (February 27, 2023). "Diana Shnaider is mixing college with the Pro tennis tour, for now". New York Times. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
  4. ^ "2024 Olympics: Russians Win First Medal in Paris with Women's Tennis Doubles. Le Monde. Sunday, August 4, 2024. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
  5. ^ a b Rabiner, Igor (April 7, 2024). ""I will play in a headscarf throughout my entire career." Interview with Diana Schneider". Sport-Express (in Russian). Retrieved May 17, 2024.
  6. ^ McCarvel, Nick (April 5, 2023). "Wolfpack & the WTA: NC State freshman Diana Shnaider eyes Charleston Open quarterfinals". Credit One Charleston Open. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
  7. ^ Kane, David (January 17, 2023). "Beginner's Guide: Diana Shnaider stands at crossroads with Australian Open breakthrough". Tennis.com. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
  8. ^ Macpherson, Alex (July 18, 2023). "Diana Shnaider's fearless approach to tennis and fashion". Women's Tennis Association. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
  9. ^ Macpherson, Alex (July 3, 2024). "Shnaider accelerates up grass learning curve with new coaching hire". Women's Tennis Association. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
  10. ^ Sports+, DH Les (July 11, 2021). "Wimbledon : Sofia Costoulas battue en finale du double juniores". DH Les Sports +.
  11. ^ "Shnaider breaks through with Montevideo WTA 125 title". Women's Tennis Association. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
  12. ^ "Brenda Fruhvirtova, Shnaider, Bejlek qualify for Australian Open". Women's Tennis Association.
  13. ^ "Australian Open: Shnaider makes winning debut, sets Sakkari clash". Women's Tennis Association. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
  14. ^ "Australian Open 2023 results: Maria Sakkari avoids a shock against Diana Shnaider". BBC Sport. January 18, 2023. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
  15. ^ "Question answered? Diana Shnaider makes long-awaited college tennis debut for NC State". Tennis.com. February 4, 2023. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
  16. ^ a b "2023 ACC Women's Tennis Awards Announced". Atlantic Coast Conference. June 9, 2023. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
  17. ^ "Diana Shnaider's fearless approach to tennis and fashion". Women's Tennis Association. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
  18. ^ "Diana Shnaider - Maria Timofeeva". Eurosport. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
  19. ^ "Hamburg: Shnaider dethrones Pera, makes first tour-level semifinal". Women's Tennis Association. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
  20. ^ "Hamburg: Noha Akugue defeats Shnaider to make first WTA final on debut". Women's Tennis Association. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
  21. ^ "WTA roundup: Russian teen Shnaider wins opener at Guangzhou against Liu". flashscore.com. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
  22. ^ "Wang Xiyu triumphs in left-handed power clash vs. Shnaider". Women's Tennis Association. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
  23. ^ "Shnaider triumphs over Kvitova in Ningbo battle of lefties". Women's Tennis Association. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
  24. ^ "Jabeur to face first-time finalist Shnaider for Ningbo title". Women's Tennis Association. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
  25. ^ "Jabeur defeats Shnaider in Ningbo to win first hard-court title". Women's Tennis Association. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
  26. ^ "Bouzkova reels in Shnaider, makes fifth career final in Nanchang". Women's Tennis Association. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
  27. ^ "Shnaider upsets top seed Linette in three-set Hua Hin opener". Women's Tennis Association. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
  28. ^ "Shnaider advances in Hua Hin as Badosa retires".
  29. ^ "Thailand Open: Shnaider makes last four, beats qualifier Galfi". Tennis Majors. February 2, 2024. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
  30. ^ "Thailand Open: Shnaider beats Wang to reach final". Tennis Majors. February 3, 2024. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
  31. ^ "Shnaider, 19, stuns Zhu Lin in Hua Hin to win first WTA title". February 4, 2024. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
  32. ^ "Keys holds off Shnaider to clinch Miami third-round spot". Women's Tennis Association. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
  33. ^ "Shnaider outplays Vekic to win Bad Homburg Open". Reuters. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
  34. ^ "Wimbledon: Surging Shnaider beats former No 1 Pliskova to reach second round". Tennis Majors. July 2024. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
  35. ^ "Wimbledon: Shnaider races past Stephens to make third round". Tennis Majors. July 3, 2024. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
  36. ^ "'Ice Girl' Navarro's growing credentials". Wimbledon. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
  37. ^ "Top seed Shnaider triumphs in Budapest to capture third title of year". Retrieved July 22, 2024.
  38. ^ "Shnaider defeats Sasnovich to win Hungarian Open title". Tennis Majors. July 21, 2024. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
  39. ^ "Rankings Watch: Shnaider's all-court mastery vaults her to a new career high". WTA. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
  40. ^ "Errani, Paolini prevail from a set down to claim Olympic doubles gold medal". Women's Tennis Association. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
  41. ^ "Tokyo: Tomova falls to Shnaider in second round". Tennis Majors. October 22, 2024. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
  42. ^ "Tokyo: Shnaider reaches last four as Ishii pulls out". Tennis Majors. October 25, 2024. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
  43. ^ "Zheng Qinwen beat Russian Diana Shnaider in the semi-finals in straight sets on Saturday". Tennis Majors. October 26, 2024. Retrieved October 26, 2024.
  44. ^ "Top seed Shnaider eases past qualifier Okamura in Hong Kong opener". Women's Tennis Association. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
  45. ^ "Top seed Shnaider defeats Hon to make Hong Kong quarterfinals". Women's Tennis Association. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
  46. ^ "Shnaider holds off Lamens fightback to reach Hong Kong semis". Women's Tennis Association. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
  47. ^ "Hong Kong Open: Diana Shnaider lives up to top seed billing, sweeps Leylah Fernandez to reach final". tennis up-to-date.com. November 2, 2024. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
  48. ^ "Boulter beaten by Shnaider in Hong Kong final". BBC Sport. November 3, 2024. Retrieved November 3, 2024.
  49. ^ "Shnaider rolls to fourth title of the season in Hong Kong". Women's Tennis Association. Retrieved November 3, 2024.
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Sporting positions
Preceded by Orange Bowl Girls' Doubles Champion
2021
With:   Petra Marčinko
Succeeded by