12 Teen Tennis Stars That Are Absolute Game Changers

Namita Nayyar (WF Team)

6 years ago

When you do something best in life, you don’t really want to give that up – and for me it’s tennis.
~ Roger Federer

Like all other sports, tennis is an evolutionary sport that has seen some great sportsperson grace its court. With a number of teen stars growing up to make the tennis court their own and strike gold in every field that they step into, Women Fitness brings to you the first ever exclusive compilation of teen tennis star’s interviews, from the best in the game.

1. Viktoryia Kanapatskaya

1. Which Tennis Player Inspires you?

Nadal inspires me. If you want to be the first, you have to win today’s match.

2. Your first memory of playing tennis?

My sister playing.

3. What is your workout routine on daily basis? Ideal training routine to perform your best?

Usually I have 2 practices and 1 fitness session.

4. To stay healthy, what are your top 5 favourite meals?

Cottage cheese with honey, greenery, fish with rice and vegetables, fruit salad, oatmeal with banana.

5. Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?

In top 10 WTA.

2. Sapir Cohen

1. Which Tennis Player Inspires you? Share any motivational quote?

Serena, as an inspired female player and my coach – Amos Mansdorf, former #18 ATP.

Quote: I am the only player who can beat me.

2. Your first memory of playing tennis?

I was playing on the wall, with my sister’s friends during her tournaments when I was 3 or 4.

3. What is your workout routine on daily basis? Ideal training routine to perform your best?

I wake up around 6-6:30 am for my morning practice that is at 7-7:30. After 1.5-2h practice, I go to school. At 3 or 4 pm I have another practice. My 1h fitness is before or after that practice.

I try to do my best all the time, and my coaches say I perform my best when I try to beat someone (even myself in a fitness session, when I repeat an exercise by time for example).

4. To stay healthy, what are your top 5 favourite meals?

Proteins are very important for my body to grow and for my muscles so I eat: meat, fish (I like salmon), eggs and cheese.

Carbohydrates are my fuel, so I eat pasta (with tomato or cheese) and rice – my favorite is sushi. But also fruits, especially apples, and mango, but I like most of them.

5. Tips to balance academics and sports?

It is hard – right now I am in junior school, so I can accomplish most of the things that I miss when I am in tournaments, and still have good grades. I try to finish homework at class, or when I am in the car on my way to practice. I like to read a lot, what helps me in general knowledge, and to keep my focus and memory when I read things for exams. I really like school and the process of learning, and that’s what helps me to hear new things and to remember it.

6. Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?

I see myself developing my tennis through the junior in a high level, and beginning the pro tournaments.

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3. Alena Kasatkina

1. Which Tennis Player Inspires you? Share any motivational quote?

I think all tennis players are worth to be called an inspiration. It is hard work , your choice is to forget all other life and pursue the only goal you have in life. I love Tennis and I am inspired by all people who dedicate their life to this sport. There is something to learn from each player. Even if he or she isn’t in top.

Well it is more of a folk wisdom. “ Small strokes fell great oaks”

2. Your first memory of playing tennis?

My older sister was playing tennis and I remember the whole childhood standing by tennis court. I helped collecting balls during her trainings and step by step I started to play myself. Firstly against the wall, then in small groups with a coach. I know sometimes when kids start to play tennis coaches try to organize everything like fun. But my first coach told me from the beginning: “ It is hard work. You can play and have fun at home. Here I want you to concentrate on your work from the first step you make on court.” I was 5 and those words didn’t mean a lot to me. But now I understand what he meant.

3. What is your workout routine on daily basis? Ideal training routine to perform your best?

During school I have tennis trainings (2-3 h) 6 times a week and 2-3 times of fitness. But my perfect routine would be 3.5-4 h tennis and 1 h fitness everyday. 1 or 2 days off with stretching, massages and swimming. This is actually how most of the academies work. I hope that next year I could change to external school and organize a better workout plan.

4. To stay healthy, what are your top 5 favourite meals?

I can’t say that my diet is super healthy. I eat sweets and I love pizza 🙂

But before tournaments and during training camps I try to reduce unhealthy products.

So top healthy products for me would be bananas, green vegetables and other vegetables as pumpkin and beet (it can be tasty when my mom cooks it), protein from chicken, turkey or some lean fish. Nuts, natural yogurts, some rice or pasta. Olive oil. So from these products you can combine some healthy meals.

5. Tips to balance academics and sports?

Very hard! I think after 15-16 years you should choose either school or tennis. External studying and online schools could be a solution.

6. Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?

I hope still on tennis court doing my job and improving everyday. I would be 18, so my goal is to play WTA tournaments and qualify for Grand Slams!

4. Luisa Meyer Auf Der Heide

1. Which tennis player inspires you? Share any motivational quote?

Roger Federer has been my idol since day one. I love how passionate and enthusiastic he is about the sport, and he keeps inspiring me every single day.

“There is no way around the hard work. Embrace it“ -Roger Federer

2. Your first memory of playing tennis?

I still remember my first tournament very well. I was really excited and got my first trophy right away. What a great feeling that was back then.

3. What is your workout routine on daily basis? Ideal training routine to perform your best?

I am a huge fan of freeletics and fitness without weights. I prefer a rather short but high intensive workout in order to perform my best.

4. To stay healthy, what are your top 5 favourite meals?

Fruit Salad
Porridge
Boiled potatoes with carrot-apple quark
Grilled salmon with cucumber salad
Bean leek tortilla with avocado dip

5. Tips to balance academics and sports?

For me personally, this is currently a big challenge but I believe if you’re really passionate about something and try to keep pushing yourself to your limits every single day, that nothing can stop you from achieving your dreams.

6. Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?

Competing with the best players in the world.

5. Sofya Lansere

1. Which Tennis Player Inspires you? Share any motivational quote?

Federer, because all his matches are interesting to watch, he has a fantastic game, character and he plays intelligent tennis.

“Everything you are going through is preparing you for what you asked for…”

2. Your first memory of playing tennis?

I started to play tennis when I was 7. My first memory is very positive because it’s really very funny when you can run and hit the ball.

3. What is your workout routine on daily basis? Ideal training routine to perform your best?

My daily routine includes Jogging, stretching, rubber and rope.

4. To stay healthy, what are your top 5 favourite meals?

Fish, meat, eggs, fruit, vegetables and pasta.

5. Tips to balance academics and sports?

Athletes in their spare time should read more to increase their intellectual capacity and perform homework which is given to them.

6. Kira Pavlova

1. Which Tennis Player Inspires you? Share any motivational quote?

If I choose from men, then I am inspired by Roger Federer, and from women Maria Sharapova because they play very calmly and tactfully on the court.

My motivational quote: “Fall seven times and stand up eight”.

2. Your first memory of playing tennis?

My first memory of tennis was when my father brought me home in his arms after the first practice. I practiced for an hour and my legs ached so much that I couldn’t walk.

3. What is your workout routine on daily basis? Ideal training routine to perform your best?

I have two workouts a day. The first training I spend with my coach on it, we practice the technique and various controls. On the second training I play matches in a group with the girls. Sometimes I have one tennis practice and fitness where I do strengthening exercises and leg exercises.

4. To stay healthy, what are your top 5 favourite meals?

My favorite food is steak. I also like borscht very much. Be sure to drink orange and carrot juice. I eat more pasta at the tournament. Every day I try to eat avocado and pomegranate.

5. Tips to balance academics and sports?

I try to combine study and training. I used to go to school every day before lunch, but now with the increase in training and tournaments switched to distance learning. They send me assignments, and I do them between workouts, and then I take tests.

6. Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?

In 5 years I see myself as a professional player and in 100 WTA.

7. Kamilla Bartone

1. Which Tennis Player Inspires you? Share any motivational quote?

My favorite player for sure is Ana Ivanovic. And it’s not all about the tennis. I mean she plays amazing, her game style is very unpredictable. Sometimes she played like she can beat number 1 in ATP tour, no jokes. But the most why I like her is because of her attitude on the court. She behaves very girly, she always looks nice on and off the court and she never forgets to wear her beautiful smile.

“A smile is a curve that can straighten out a lot of problems” – it’s my motivation quote from Ana Ivanovic.

2. Your first memory of playing tennis?

To be honest the first time I came on the tennis court wasn’t the brightest memory of my childhood. My father loved tennis so he decided that I should play this sport. I didn’t like it at first. On my first training I started to cry because I couldn’t do as good as older kids did, so I ran away from training crying. But after one week I decided to come back, to compete and be better than older kids. So that’s how I started to play tennis.

3. What is your workout routine on daily basis? Ideal training routine to perform your best?

My workout starts every day at 10 a.m. I spend around 30 minutes on my warm up then I do stabilization exercises. I have 2 hours of morning practice then I have lunch break for 3 hours. My after lunch workout starts with fitness, I do it around 1 hour and after I have tennis training for an hour and a half. Of course after every practice I do good stretch. I think it is the way of the workout that helps me to achieve good results in tennis.

4. To stay healthy, what are your top 5 favourite meals?

To be honest I am not a very healthy person when it comes to food. I like to eat some junk or fast food. I mean I don’t know any athlete who doesn’t, but still I eat it very very rarely. I think my favorite healthy food is fruits, especially mango. Oh, I don’t know how I would live without mango. Probably second best thing about healthy food is salads. Third – pancakes, I know it’s not very healthy, but what I can do with myself. Also I like eggs: scrambled, boiled, sunny side up, doesn’t matter. And fish, fish and more fish. I can eat fish 24/7.

5. Tips to balance academics and sports?

I never had problems to balance academics and sports. It would sound weird but I like to study, to know something new. When I was around twelve, tennis took only 2 hours of my all day. Of course with every year hours of training was adding. From 9 form (15 y.o.) I started to do internet school, because it’s just not possible to combine visitation school and professional trainings. But for me the 9 form by internet education was quite easy, I want to add it was an exam year, and I finished my school with honors degree.

6. Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?

I want to become a number one player in WTA. It was my dream from childhood. I’m working hard to achieve my dream and I know that I will be there soon.

8. Darja Suvirdjonkova

1. Which Tennis Player Inspires you? Share any motivational quote?

Roger Federer.

“Only work not talent can bring you success today” – Roger Federer

2. Your first memory of playing tennis?

When I was 6 after my gymnastics class, I came with my mom to take my sister from tennis training, I liked tennis so much that I asked to join her training right away so I was wearing lightweight gym shoes.

3. What is your workout routine on daily basis? Ideal training routine to perform your best?

Every day I have tennis, fitness and stretch and swimming pool 1 or 2 times in a week and procedures for recovery. It’s running, running and running.

4. To stay healthy, what are your top 5 favourite meals?

It’s pasta bolognese, mix salad, fruits, beaf steak and oatmeal.

5. Tips to balance academics and sports?

I’m studying in a special school for athletes. It is easier and more convenient for me because I can study on a special schedule.

6. Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?

I think I will play WTA tournaments, and I really want to be number 1 in the future.

9. Oceane Babel

1. Which Tennis Player Inspires you? Share any motivational quote?

Serena Williams inspires me.

Motivation quote: “I really think a champion is defined not by their wins, but by how they can recover when they fall.”

2. Your first memory of playing tennis?

My first memory of playing tennis is when I hit the ball with my dad for the first time.

3. What is your workout routine on daily basis? Ideal training routine to perform your best?

My workout routine on daily basis is 2 tennis sessions and a physical session. Training routine to perform my best will be maybe more stretching and physiotherapy sessions.

4. To stay healthy, what are your top 5 favourite meals?

Top 5 favourite meals:

Pasta with tomato sauce
Rice with chicken
Ratatouille
Green beans and salmon
Caesar Salad

5. Tips to balance academics and sports?

For balance academics and sport, it’s very important to have time-table very just.

6. Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?

In 5 years, I hope to play Grand Slam Qualifying.

10. Falei Alyona

1. Which Tennis Player Inspires you? Share any motivational quote?

I like how Jelena Ostapenko plays, she inspires me, because she won a Grand Slam at an early age.

Quote – “We would not achieve much if we thought that it was impossible.

Dreams are not impossible, so go and embody your dreams”

2. Your first memory of playing tennis?

After the first training on the court in 5 years, I realized that I want to play further. I really liked the atmosphere, the ball game, the competitive spirit and always wanted to be the best in all assignments. For all this time I have never regretted that I chose this sport.

3. What is your workout routine on daily basis? Ideal training routine to perform your best?

For a day on the court I train 4 hours and 1 hour in the gym, every year I will try to improve and increase my training process.

4. To stay healthy, what are your top 5 favourite meals?

I like:

spaghetti with meat (beef, turkey)
vegetables with fish
Rice with chicken
salad with avocado and seafood
oatmeal with dried apricots

5. Tips to balance academics and sports?

You need to improve yourself every day, observe the regime, eat right, enjoy your business and be optimistic.

6. Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?

I want my ranking to be the top 20 WTA.

11. Oksana Selekhmeteva

1. Which Tennis Player Inspires you? Share any motivational quote?

Rafael Nadal I like how he’s fighting on the court.

“Never give up.”

2. Your first memory of playing tennis?

I remember how I played tennis with my dad when I was small.

3. What is your workout routine on daily basis? Ideal training routine to perform your best?

Every day I have two tennis practices and two fitness practices. And if I have time I can do one extra basket to improve my serve. For me important part in my routine is stretching.

4. To stay healthy, what are your top 5 favourite meals?

In breakfast I prefer to eat eggs. Between practice I can eat protein bar. Of course never forget to drink water. The best dessert is fruits.

5. Tips to balance academics and sports?

I try to find few minutes between practice to do my school work. Because for me it’s important.

6. Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?

Of course I want to be number one in the world and I will try to do the best of what I can.

12. Anastasia Zakharova

1. Which Tennis Player Inspires you? Share any motivational quote?

I am inspired by Roger Federer. His ability to stay on the court, his confidence and play. He is a tennis player legend.

“Play tennis like that so imitated you! ”

2. Your first memory of playing tennis?

Having come to the training for the first time, I simply did not want to leave it. I fell in love with tennis right away. Each workout is a little story, a piece of your life. Court, racket, ball – it was all mine.

3. What is your workout routine on daily basis? Ideal training routine to perform your best?

My daily workouts are divided into several parts. This is tennis, it includes work on technique and tactics. So much time is spent on physical development – it is fitness, running and swimming.

4. To stay healthy, what are your top 5 favourite meals?

My favorite dishes.

Fruit Salad
Pasta seafood
Chicken Breasts with Vegetables
Omelet with Tomato
Salmon and rice

5. Tips to balance academics and sports?

My advice. Buy a diary for clear day planning. And also determine the average number of hours to spent on each particular lesson. This will allow you to successfully combine study and sport.

6. Where do you see yourself in the next 5 years?

In the next 5 years, I see myself as a famous professional tennis player. Which will require a lot of work hard.