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. 37 in doubles, set on 6 January 2025.
Shnaider won women's doubles silver at the 2024 Paris Olympics with partner Mirra Andreeva.[4]
Early life
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
She won the girls' doubles titles at the 2021 Wimbledon Championships, partnering Belarusian Kristina Dmitruk,[10] and the 2022 Australian Open, partnering with American Clervie Ngounoue.[11]
On the ITF Junior Circuit, Shnaider had a career-high combined ranking of No. 3, achieved on 13 December 2021.
Grand Slam performance
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
2022: First WTA 125 title
Shnaider won her first WTA 125 title at the Montevideo Open, defeating Léolia Jeanjean in straight sets in the final.[12]
2023: Major debut, WTA Tour final, top 60
Shnaider made her Grand Slam tournament debut at the 2023 Australian Open, after qualifying into the main draw.[13] She defeated Kristína Kučová for her first win at a major,[14] before losing in the second round to sixth seed Maria Sakkari.[15] 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.[16] She went 20–3 in singles to help the Wolfpack win the ACC tournament and reach the 2023 NCAA Championships final.[17] 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.[17]
At the Budapest Grand Prix, she defeated top seed Bernarda Pera,[18] but lost in the second round to lucky loser and eventual champion Maria Timofeeva.[19] Shnaider reached the semifinals at the Hamburg Open defeating third seed Bernarda Pera in the quarterfinals,[20] before losing to home favorite, wildcard Noma Noha Akugue.[21]
In her debut at the Asian swing, she defeated eighth seed Claire Liu at the Guangzhou Open.[22] She lost in the second round to Wang Xiyu [23] At the next tournament, she reached the semifinals second seed Petra Kvitová at the Ningbo Open.[24] Next, she defeated Linda Fruhvirtová to reach her first WTA Tour final[25] but lost to top seed Ons Jabeur.[26] Following a semifinal showing at the Jiangxi Open,[27] she reached the top 60 on 23 October 2023.[citation needed]
2024: Four WTA titles, doubles Olympic silver, top 20
In Hua Hin, Thailand, she reached her fourth career quarterfinal, defeating top seed Magda Linette[28] and Paula Badosa by retirement.[29] Next, she defeated qualifier Dalma Gálfi[30] and third seed Wang Xinyu[31] to reach her second career final. Shnaider then defeated second seed Zhu Lin in three sets to win her first ever WTA Tour title.[32] At the Miami Open, she lost in the second round to 17th seed Madison Keys.[33]
She won her second career title at the 2024 Bad Homburg Open defeating Donna Vekić in the final.[34] 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[35] and Sloane Stephens,[2][36] before losing to 19th seed Emma Navarro.[37]
Shnaider won her third title of the year at the Budapest Grand Prix, defeating Aliaksandra Sasnovich in straight sets in the final.[38][39] Subsequently, she moved up to a career-high singles ranking No. 18 on 19 August 2024.[40]
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.[41]
Seeded sixth at the Pan Pacific Open in October, she reached the semifinals with a win over Viktoriya Tomova[42] along with a quarterfinal walkover against injured qualifier Sayaka Ishii.[43] She lost in the last four to top seed and eventual champion Zheng Qinwen.[44]
As the Hong Kong Open, where she was top seed, Shnaider defeated qualifier Kyoka Okamura,[45] Priscilla Hon,[46] Suzan Lamens[47] and defending champion and third seed Leylah Fernandez[48] to reach the final where she overcame second seed Katie Boulter in straight sets to claim her fourth title of the season.[49][50]
2025: First career doubles title
Partnering Mirra Andreeva, Shnaider won her first WTA Tour doubles title at the Brisbane International, defeating Priscilla Hon and Anna Kalinskaya in the final.[51] The following week, at the Adelaide International, she defeated qualifier Kateřina Siniaková to reach the second round,[52] where she advanced after Markéta Vondroušová retired due to injury.[53] Shnaider lost in the quarterfinals to Yulia Putintseva.[54]
Career statistics
Grand Slam singles performance timeline
Current through the 2025 Australian Open.
| Tournament | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | SR | W–L | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Slam tournaments | ||||||
| Australian Open | 2R | 1R | 3R | 0 / 3 | 3–3 | 50% |
| 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 | 2–1 | 0 / 7 | 9–7 | 56% |
Summer Olympics
Doubles: 1 (silver medal)
| Result | Year | Tournament | Surface | Partner | Opponents | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Silver | 2024 | Paris Olympics | Clay |  Mirra Andreeva
|
 Sara Errani Jasmine Paolini
|
6–2, 1–6, [7–10] |
References
- ^ 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.
- ^ a b "Shnaider accelerates up grass learning curve with new coaching hire". July 3, 2024.
- ^ Clarey, Christopher (February 27, 2023). "Diana Shnaider is mixing college with the Pro tennis tour, for now". New York Times. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
- ^ "2024 Olympics: Russians Win First Medal in Paris with Women's Tennis Doubles. Le Monde. Sunday, August 4, 2024. Retrieved 5 August 2024.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ Kane, David (January 17, 2023). "Beginner's Guide: Diana Shnaider stands at crossroads with Australian Open breakthrough". Tennis.com. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
- ^ Macpherson, Alex (July 18, 2023). "Diana Shnaider's fearless approach to tennis and fashion". Women's Tennis Association. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
- ^ Macpherson, Alex (July 3, 2024). "Shnaider accelerates up grass learning curve with new coaching hire". Women's Tennis Association. Retrieved August 1, 2024.
- ^ Sports+, DH Les (July 11, 2021). "Wimbledon : Sofia Costoulas battue en finale du double juniores". DH Les Sports +.
- ^ "London, Ont. teen finishes second in Junior Doubles at Australian Open". CTV News London. Retrieved December 22, 2024.
- ^ "Shnaider breaks through with Montevideo WTA 125 title". Women's Tennis Association. Retrieved November 1, 2024.
- ^ "Brenda Fruhvirtova, Shnaider, Bejlek qualify for Australian Open". Women's Tennis Association.
- ^ "Australian Open: Shnaider makes winning debut, sets Sakkari clash". Women's Tennis Association. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
- ^ "Australian Open 2023 results: Maria Sakkari avoids a shock against Diana Shnaider". BBC Sport. January 18, 2023. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
- ^ "Question answered? Diana Shnaider makes long-awaited college tennis debut for NC State". Tennis.com. February 4, 2023. Retrieved December 3, 2023.
- ^ a b "2023 ACC Women's Tennis Awards Announced". Atlantic Coast Conference. June 9, 2023. Retrieved November 3, 2023.
- ^ "Diana Shnaider's fearless approach to tennis and fashion". Women's Tennis Association. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
- ^ "Diana Shnaider - Maria Timofeeva". Eurosport. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
- ^ "Hamburg: Shnaider dethrones Pera, makes first tour-level semifinal". Women's Tennis Association. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
- ^ "Hamburg: Noha Akugue defeats Shnaider to make first WTA final on debut". Women's Tennis Association. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
- ^ "WTA roundup: Russian teen Shnaider wins opener at Guangzhou against Liu". flashscore.com. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
- ^ "Wang Xiyu triumphs in left-handed power clash vs. Shnaider". Women's Tennis Association. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
- ^ "Shnaider triumphs over Kvitova in Ningbo battle of lefties". Women's Tennis Association. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
- ^ "Jabeur to face first-time finalist Shnaider for Ningbo title". Women's Tennis Association. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
- ^ "Jabeur defeats Shnaider in Ningbo to win first hard-court title". Women's Tennis Association. Retrieved January 10, 2024.
- ^ "Bouzkova reels in Shnaider, makes fifth career final in Nanchang". Women's Tennis Association. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
- ^ "Shnaider upsets top seed Linette in three-set Hua Hin opener". Women's Tennis Association. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
- ^ "Shnaider advances in Hua Hin as Badosa retires".
- ^ "Thailand Open: Shnaider makes last four, beats qualifier Galfi". Tennis Majors. February 2, 2024. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
- ^ "Thailand Open: Shnaider beats Wang to reach final". Tennis Majors. February 3, 2024. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
- ^ "Shnaider, 19, stuns Zhu Lin in Hua Hin to win first WTA title". February 4, 2024. Retrieved February 5, 2024.
- ^ "Keys holds off Shnaider to clinch Miami third-round spot". Women's Tennis Association. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
- ^ "Shnaider outplays Vekic to win Bad Homburg Open". Reuters. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
- ^ "Wimbledon: Surging Shnaider beats former No 1 Pliskova to reach second round". Tennis Majors. July 2024. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
- ^ "Wimbledon: Shnaider races past Stephens to make third round". Tennis Majors. July 3, 2024. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
- ^ "'Ice Girl' Navarro's growing credentials". Wimbledon. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
- ^ "Top seed Shnaider triumphs in Budapest to capture third title of year". Retrieved July 22, 2024.
- ^ "Shnaider defeats Sasnovich to win Hungarian Open title". Tennis Majors. July 21, 2024. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
- ^ "Rankings Watch: Shnaider's all-court mastery vaults her to a new career high". WTA. Retrieved July 22, 2024.
- ^ "Errani, Paolini prevail from a set down to claim Olympic doubles gold medal". Women's Tennis Association. Retrieved October 25, 2024.
- ^ "Tokyo: Tomova falls to Shnaider in second round". Tennis Majors. October 22, 2024. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
- ^ "Tokyo: Shnaider reaches last four as Ishii pulls out". Tennis Majors. October 25, 2024. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
- ^ "Zheng Qinwen beat Russian Diana Shnaider in the semi-finals in straight sets on Saturday". Tennis Majors. October 26, 2024. Retrieved October 26, 2024.
- ^ "Top seed Shnaider eases past qualifier Okamura in Hong Kong opener". Women's Tennis Association. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
- ^ "Top seed Shnaider defeats Hon to make Hong Kong quarterfinals". Women's Tennis Association. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
- ^ "Shnaider holds off Lamens fightback to reach Hong Kong semis". Women's Tennis Association. Retrieved November 2, 2024.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Boulter beaten by Shnaider in Hong Kong final". BBC Sport. November 3, 2024. Retrieved November 3, 2024.
- ^ "Shnaider rolls to fourth title of the season in Hong Kong". Women's Tennis Association. Retrieved November 3, 2024.
- ^ "No.1 Sabalenka holds off Polina Kudermetova to win Brisbane title". Women's Tennis Association. Retrieved January 5, 2025.
- ^ "Shnaider quells qualifier Siniakova in topsy-turvy Adelaide first round". Women's Tennis Association. Retrieved January 11, 2025.
- ^ "WTA Adelaide: Shnaider moves into last eight as Vondrousova retires". Tennis Majors. Retrieved January 11, 2025.
- ^ "Putintseva triumphs over Shnaider in three-hour Adelaide thriller". Women's Tennis Association. Retrieved January 11, 2025.
External links
- Diana Shnaider at the Women's Tennis Association
- Diana Shnaider at the International Tennis Federation
- Diana Shnaider profile on NC State Wolfpack
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