Nadia Petrova

Nadia Petrova is a Russian former professional tennis player who reached a career-high singles ranking of World No. 3 in March 2005. He is also a former World No. 3 in doubles in March 2005.

Petrova won 13 WTA singles titles and 24 doubles titles, accumulating over $12.4 million in prize money.

Player Profile and Personal Life

Nadezhda Viktorovna Petrova was born on June 8, 1982, in Moscow, Soviet Union, and later resided in Miami, United States. Standing 178 cm tall and weighing 65 kg, Nadezhda Viktorovna Petrova played right-handed with a two-handed backhand.

She was born into a sporting family. Her father, Viktor, was a hammer thrower, and her mother, Nadezhda Ilyina, won a bronze medal in the 400 m relay at the 1976 Montreal Olympics. Petrova’s early years involved extensive travel and training, including a formative period in Egypt.

Her mother coached her until her passing in 2013, and her father continues to work as an athletics coach.

Junior Career

Nadia Petrova was a standout junior, winning the 1998 French Open girls’ singles title and finishing runner-up at the Orange Bowl and US Open juniors. Her early promise was evident in her rapid rise through the junior and professional ranks, establishing herself as one of the leading young talents from Russia.

Career

Petrova turned professional in 1999 and quickly made her mark on the WTA Tour. She broke into the top 100 by the end of 1999 and steadily climbed the rankings, reaching her first Grand Slam semifinal at the French Open in 2003.

Petrova’s career was defined by consistency and a powerful, aggressive style, particularly her flat and sliced backhand. She reached nine Grand Slam singles quarterfinals, including two semifinals at Roland Garros (2003, 2005), and was a quarterfinalist at all four majors.

Her most successful singles season came in 2006, when she won three consecutive tournaments and achieved a career-high singles ranking of No. 3. She also captured major singles titles at Tokyo (2012) and the Tournament of Champions (2012).

In doubles, Nadia Petrova was equally accomplished. She won 24 WTA doubles titles, including two WTA Tour Finals in 2004 with Meghann Shaughnessy and in 2012 with Maria Kirilenko. She reached Grand Slam finals at the US Open (2010) and French Open (2012).

Petrova also won the bronze medal in women’s doubles at the 2012 London Olympics with Kirilenko and claimed nine Tier I/Premier Mandatory doubles titles. She was ranked in the top 10 in doubles for multiple seasons and finished with a year-end top-10 doubles ranking four times.

Nadia Petrova’s career was hampered at times by injuries, particularly in the later years. She announced her retirement on January 11, 2017, after a nearly three-year absence from the tour.

Career Record

Singles

• Career Titles: 13
• Highest Singles Ranking: No. 3 (May 15, 2006)
• Career Record: 533–303

Best Grand Slam Singles Performances

• Australian Open – Quarterfinals (2006, 2010)
• French Open – Semifinals (2003, 2005)
• Wimbledon – Quarterfinals (2005, 2008)
• US Open – Quarterfinals (2004, 2005)

Other Tournaments

• Tour Finals – Round Robin (2005, 2006, 2008)
• Olympic Games – 3rd Round (2012)

Doubles

• Career Titles: 24
• Highest Doubles Ranking: No. 3 (March 21, 2005)
• Career Record: 384–175

Best Grand Slam Doubles Performances

• Australian Open – Semifinals (2011)
• French Open – Finalist (2012)
• Wimbledon – Quarterfinals (2004, 2005, 2007, 2013)
• US Open – Finalist (2010)

Other Tournaments

• Tour Finals – Winner (2004, 2012)
• Olympic Games – Bronze Medal (2012, Doubles with Maria Kirilenko)