France has long been a powerhouse in the tennis world, producing stars in both the men’s and women’s circuits. One of the country’s most exciting prospects in the early 2000s was Tatiana Golovin. Born in Russia, Golovin moved to France as a young child, eventually obtaining French citizenship and representing her adopted country on the global stage.
Golovin’s tennis journey began early. She trained at the prestigious Nick Bollettieri Academy in Florida, a proving ground for many tennis greats. In 2002, at just 14 years old, she turned pro. Two years later, she made her mark by winning the mixed doubles title at Roland Garros alongside fellow French prodigy Richard Gasquet.
The year 2004 proved pivotal for Golovin, not only for her Grand Slam success in doubles but also for her singles performances. She reached the fourth round in both the Australian Open and Wimbledon, showcasing her potential as a future star.
By 2006, she had advanced to the quarterfinals of the US Open, and in 2007, she captured her first two WTA singles titles—at Amelia Island and Portoroz. Early in 2008, despite struggling with back pain, she achieved her career-high ranking of No. 12 in the world.
Tatiana Golovin and Richard Gasquet of France celebrate with the trophy after winning their mixed doubles Roland Garros. (Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Breaking Wimbledon’s dress code
Golovin grabbed headlines during Wimbledon in 2007 for an unexpected reason—her outfit. The French player adhered to the tournament’s strict all-white dress code but pushed the boundaries by wearing red shorts under her skirt.
see also
She was World No. 2, won five Grand Slams, retired at 38 and has a unique WTA record
The bold choice wasn’t just a fashion statement. Golovin later revealed she wore the shorts because she was on her menstrual cycle, a topic rarely discussed openly in tennis at the time. Her decision drew significant attention, sparking debates about Wimbledon’s traditional dress code.
Tatiana Golovin during the 2007 Wimbledon with her red shorts under her skirt. (Julian Finney/Getty Images)
Years later, Wimbledon adjusted its rules, allowing female players to wear colored undergarments to ease stress during their periods. Golovin’s statement remains one of the most notable dress code challenges in the tournament’s history.
A career cut short by injury
In 2008, Golovin’s promising career began to falter due to persistent back issues. After competing in just a handful of tournaments, she decided to take a break, hoping to recover and return in 2009. Unfortunately, her injuries worsened, and by the end of that year, Golovin was forced to retire at just 20 years old. Her retirement shocked the tennis world, as many believed she was on the brink of joining the sport’s elite.
A brief comeback attempt
In 2019, Golovin made a brief return to competitive tennis, playing two matches—one in a WTA 250 event in Luxembourg and another in an ITF tournament in Germany. Though both matches ended in defeat, her comeback effort demonstrated her enduring love for the sport.
Reflecting on her return, Golovin told BeIN Sports: “In 2009, I had to stop because my body couldn’t meet the demands of high-performance tennis due to my condition. Over the past 18 months, I’ve been exploring treatments that might allow me to come back. After mourning my early retirement, I thought it might be time to give it another try”.
Life after tennis
Since officially stepping away from competition, Golovin has built a successful career in broadcasting. She currently works as a commentator for BeIN Sports and frequently participates in exhibition matches.
In 2022 and 2024, she played in special events at Roland Garros, including a victory alongside compatriot Nathalie Tauziat over Argentine legends Gabriela Sabatini and Gisela Dulko.
