While Russian women’s tennis has produced stars like Maria Sharapova, Svetlana Kuznetsova, Dinara Safina, and Elena Dementieva, Vera Zvonareva carved out her own legacy with consistent success across multiple surfaces and disciplines. Despite injuries that interrupted her career, she reached a career-high ranking of No. 2 in the world and secured multiple major titles.
Born in Moscow on September 7, 1984, Zvonareva faced a challenging childhood, something she recalled in a 2021 interview with Behind the Racquet: “My mom always worked, so I spent most of my childhood with my grandmother. She took me to school and training every day because it was dangerous to travel alone. We lived in southern Moscow, and it took us an hour and a half to get across the city. I remember my grandmother was getting older and already had difficulty walking from one bus stop to another”.
Zvonareva broke onto the professional tour at 15 in 2000 and quickly proved her versatility, winning titles on clay, hard courts, and grass. Her peak years came between 2008 and 2011, highlighted by seven singles titles, finals appearances at Wimbledon and the US Open in 2010, and a bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Vera Zvonareva’s successful career
Vera Zvonareva’s peak in singles came between 2008 and 2011, a stretch in which she captured seven titles, including the prestigious WTA 1000 event at Indian Wells in 2009. During that run, she also reached the finals of both Wimbledon and the US Open in 2010, falling to Serena Williams and Kim Clijsters, respectively.
Two years earlier, Zvonareva claimed a bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, further cementing her status among the sport’s elite. At her career-best, she rose to No. 2 in the WTA rankings.
Alongside her singles success, Zvonareva built an impressive résumé in doubles. She won three women’s Grand Slam titles — the 2006 US Open with Nathalie Dechy, the 2012 Australian Open with Svetlana Kuznetsova, and the 2020 US Open with Laura Siegemund. She also captured two mixed doubles majors, pairing with Bob Bryan to win the 2004 US Open and with Andy Ram to win Wimbledon in 2006.
Travel issues entering Poland
Following the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine war in February 2023, several countries imposed restrictions on Russian and Belarusian citizens, including Poland. That same year, Vera Zvonareva attempted to enter Poland from Belgrade but was reportedly stopped and accused of trying to do so with falsified travel documents.
Poland’s Ministry of the Interior released a firm statement at the time: “The Border Guard prevented the Russian tennis player from entering Poland. Vera Zvonareva, using a visa issued by France, attempted to enter our country on a flight from Belgrade to Warsaw. After arriving from Serbia, the tennis player remained in the transit area of Warsaw Chopin Airport and, after 12:00 today, flew to Podgorica”.
Retirement and family life
Zvonareva enjoyed a decorated career that saw her excel in both singles and doubles, though injuries often hindered her consistency. She stepped away from professional tennis multiple times but always managed to make comebacks.
Her final appearance on tour came in 2023, when she closed her career on a high note by winning the WTA Finals doubles title alongside Laura Siegemund. Following her last retirement, Zvonareva settled in Dubai, where she now coaches tennis and spends time with her family. She welcomed her daughter, Evelina, in 2016.