Elena Vesnina, one of the most decorated doubles players in tennis history, has officially announced (Nov. 22, 2024) her retirement from professional tennis. Known for her dazzling achievements on the biggest stages, Vesnina leaves behind an extraordinary legacy both on and off the court.
The Personal Life of Elena Vesnina: Family and Balance Beyond Tennis
Elena Vesnina’s journey has been as fulfilling off the court as it was on it. In 2015, she married businessman Pavel Tabuntsov, embarking on a new chapter in her life. Their union blossomed further with the birth of their daughter, Elizaveta, in 2018. Vesnina’s ability to balance her family life with the demands of professional tennis served as an inspiration to many, proving that success doesn’t have to come at the cost of personal happiness.
A Doubles Maestro: Vesnina’s Unparalleled Success on the Biggest Stages
Vesnina’s doubles career is nothing short of legendary. Partnering with Ekaterina Makarova, she claimed three Grand Slam women’s doubles titles at the 2013 French Open, 2014 US Open, and 2017 Wimbledon. The duo also secured the gold medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics, capping off their dominance with a victory at the WTA Finals in Singapore. In mixed doubles, Vesnina added another Grand Slam to her collection by triumphing at the 2016 Australian Open alongside Bruno Soares.
Track record of Elena Vesnina Grand Slam Women’s Doubles
| Result | Year | Tournament | Surface | Partner | Opponents | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 2009 | French Open | Clay | Victoria Azarenka (Bel) | Anabel Medina Garrigues/Virginia Ruano Pascual (Spa) | 1–6, 1–6 |
| Loss | 2010 | Wimbledon | Grass | Vera Zvonareva (Rus) | Vania King (Usa)/Yaroslava Shvedova (Kaz) | 6–7(6–8), 2–6 |
| Loss | 2011 | French Open | Clay | Sania Mirza (Ind) | Lucie Hradecká/Andrea Hlaváčková (Cze) | 4–6, 3–6 |
| Win | 2013 | French Open | Clay | Ekaterina Makarova (Rus) | Sara Errani/Roberta Vinci (Ita) | 7–5, 6–2 |
| Loss | 2014 | Australian Open | Hard | Ekaterina Makarova (Rus) | Sara Errani/Roberta Vinci (Ita) | 4–6, 6–3, 5–7 |
| Win | 2014 | US Open | Hard | Ekaterina Makarova (Rus) | Martina Hingis (Swi)/Flavia Pennetta (Ita) | 2–6, 6–3, 6–2 |
| Loss | 2015 | Wimbledon | Grass | Ekaterina Makarova (Rus) | Martina Hingis (Swi)/Sania Mirza (Ind) | 7–5, 6–7(4–7), 5–7 |
| Loss | 2016 | French Open | Clay | Ekaterina Makarova (Rus) | Caroline Garcia/Kristina Mladenovic (Fra) | 3–6, 6–2, 4–6 |
| Win | 2017 | Wimbledon | Grass | Ekaterina Makarova (Rus) | Chan Hao-ching (Taipeh)/Monica Niculescu (Rom) | 6–0, 6–0 |
| Loss | 2018 | Australian Open | Hard | Ekaterina Makarova (Rus) | Tímea Babos (Hun)/Kristina Mladenovic (Fra) | 4–6, 3–6 |
| Loss | 2021 | Wimbledon | Grass | Veronika Kudermetova (Rus) | Hsieh Su-wei (Taip)/Elise Mertens (Belgium) | 6–3, 5–7, 7–9 |
Her achievements earned her the World No.1 doubles ranking in June 2018, cementing her status as one of the finest doubles players of her era. Even after a hiatus to focus on motherhood, Vesnina returned to reach finals at Wimbledon and Roland Garros, showcasing her enduring excellence.
A Singles Star in Her Own Right
Though her doubles accolades often stole the spotlight, Vesnina enjoyed notable success in singles. She captured three WTA singles titles, including a standout victory at the prestigious 2017 Indian Wells Open, where she defeated top players en route to the championship. This achievement propelled her to a career-high singles ranking of World No.13, a testament to her all-around talent.
Her aggressive baseline play, coupled with her mental toughness, made her a formidable competitor in singles, with career-defining moments that complemented her doubles mastery.