Rafael Nadal isn't the only major winner to bid farewell to tennis this week. Four-time Grand Slam doubles champion, Elena Vesninia, also announced her retirement on Friday through an Instagram post. She took a break to have two daughters during her career and played the clay and grass season this year, as well as the Paris Olympics. After the birth of her second daughter in 2023, she returned to the court at the Mutua Madrid Open and participated in her fifth Olympics in Paris, partnering with Ekaterina Alexandrova.
A Tennis Legend's Farewell and Her Incredible Journey
Early Days and Milestones
Vesninia's life in tennis began more than 30 years ago in her hometown of Sochi at Riviera Park. A young girl with bows and a huge racket in her hands had no idea how this sport would shape her life. She went on to achieve remarkable feats, becoming one-half of one of the best doubles teams of the 2010s with Ekaterina Makarova. They won all four of their women's doubles majors together and also triumphed at the 2016 Olympics and WTA Finals. This was just the beginning of her illustrious career.After winning her 19th career WTA doubles title in Madrid in 2018, Vesninia gave birth to her first daughter. Her second chapter of career started with a maternity leave but was highlighted by a remarkable run to the final at Wimbledon in 2021 with Veronika Kudermetova. She also reached mixed doubles finals at Roland Garros and won a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics with Aslan Karatsev.Singles Success and Notable Achievements
Vesninia was a Top 15 player in singles, with one of her most notable achievements being the 2017 BNP Paribas Open title. She also reached the semifinals at Wimbledon in 2016, showcasing her versatility and skill on the singles court. Throughout her career, she enjoyed the support of her fans and the WTA family. Tennis brought her friends for life, and she expressed her gratitude in a heartfelt statement to the WTA. She will always be remembered as a tennis legend, leaving behind a legacy of excellence and determination.New
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