Tennis fans often remember the powerful left-handed swing that dominated the doubles courts for over a decade.
Ekaterina Makarova was just a doubles specialist; she was a force in singles too, reaching the world’s top 10. Even though she stepped away from the pro tour a few years ago, her legacy and financial success remain impressive.
In this article, you will know Ekaterina Makarova’s net worth, career earnings, career overview, stats, relationship, and more.
Ekaterina Makarova’s Biography
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ekaterina Valeryevna Makarova |
| Date of Birth | June 7, 1988 |
| Age | 37 |
| Education | Design (studied briefly during career) |
| Nationality | Russian |
| Height | 5 ft 11 in (1.80 m) |
| Weight | Approx. 154 lbs (70 kg) |
| Turned Pro | 2004 |
| Retired | 2020 |
| Net Worth | Approx. $15 Million |
| Career Prize Money | $13,229,362 |
| Marital Status | Single (Private) |
| Instagram Profile | @katyamakarova1 |
Early Career
Ekaterina Makarova was born in Moscow, Russia, in 1988. Her journey into tennis started when she was just six years old. Her parents, Valery and Olga, supported her passion from the start.
Unlike many players who move to academies in the US or Spain, Ekaterina stayed in Moscow for her early development. She worked hard at the Luzhniki Olympic Complex, a place that shaped many Russian athletes.
She turned professional in 2004 when she was about 16 years old. Her rise was steady rather than instant. She played lower-level ITF tournaments to build her ranking. By 2007, she started making waves by qualifying for the main draw of the US Open.
That same year, she won her first notable ITF titles. These early years taught her how to use her left-handed serve to trouble opponents, a skill that became her trademark later on.
Professional Career
Ekaterina had a brilliant career that lasted over 15 years. In singles, she was a tough opponent for anyone. She reached the semi-finals of the US Open in 2014 and the Australian Open in 2015.
These runs helped her reach a career-high singles ranking of World No. 8. She won three WTA singles titles, including a big win at Eastbourne in 2010. She was known for beating top players and performing well on grass and hard courts.
Her doubles career was legendary. Ekaterina teamed up with Elena Vesnina to form one of the best duos in tennis history. Together, they won three Grand Slam titles: the French Open (2013), US Open (2014), and Wimbledon (2017).
The highlight of her career came in 2016 at the Rio Olympics. She and Vesnina won the Gold Medal for Russia, a moment she calls the proudest of her life. She reached the World No. 1 ranking in doubles in 2018 before retiring in 2020 due to injuries.
Coach
For most of her career, Ekaterina was coached by Evgenia Manyukova. Manyukova was a former player herself and understood Ekaterina’s game perfectly. They had a very close bond, almost like family.
This partnership lasted for many years and brought Ekaterina her biggest titles, including the Olympic Gold.
Toward the end of her career in 2017, Ekaterina made a change. She briefly hired Nigel Sears, a well-known British coach who had worked with other top players like Ana Ivanovic.
She wanted a fresh perspective to help her singles game. However, her most successful years are always linked to her time with Manyukova.
Ekaterina Makarova’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Ekaterina Makarova has an estimated net worth of $15 million. This wealth comes from her massive career prize money and sponsorships.
Career Earnings
| Year | Prize Money Earnings |
|---|---|
| 2013 | ~$1.5 Million |
| 2014 | ~$2.3 Million |
| 2015 | ~$1.7 Million |
| 2016 | ~$1.8 Million |
| 2017 | ~$1.4 Million |
| Total Career | $13,229,362 |
Endorsements
During her playing days, Ekaterina had solid sponsorship deals. She was endorsed by Lotto for her clothing and shoes. You could often see her wearing their outfits during her Grand Slam runs.
For her racquets, she used Yonex, a popular brand among top pros. These deals added hundreds of thousands of dollars to her income each year on top of her prize money.
Career Stats
| Stat Category | Record |
|---|---|
| Singles Titles | 3 |
| Singles W/L Record | 437–289 |
| Highest Singles Rank | No. 8 (2015) |
| Doubles Titles | 15 |
| Grand Slam Titles | 4 (3 Doubles, 1 Mixed) |
| Olympic Medals | 1 Gold (Rio 2016) |
| Highest Doubles Rank | No. 1 (2018) |
FAQs
1. Why did Makarova retire from professional tennis?
She decided to end her professional career because her body could no longer handle the physical demands of the tour. Persistent injuries prevented her from competing at the high level she expected of herself.
2. Is there another active tennis player named Ekaterina Makarova?
Yes, a younger Russian player also bears the name Ekaterina Makarova. Fans often confuse the two, but the younger athlete currently competes on the ITF and WTA Challenger circuits, while the Olympic champion retired.
3. Did she ever reach the world number one ranking?
Makarova achieved the world number one ranking in doubles during the 2018 season. While she peaked at number eight in singles, she proved herself as one of the most dominant doubles players of her generation alongside Elena Vesnina.
4. Who was her most successful doubles partner on tour?
She enjoyed her greatest success alongside compatriot Elena Vesnina. The pair formed a formidable team that won three Grand Slam titles and captured the Olympic gold medal for Russia at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Games.
5. How much prize money did she earn during her career?
The Russian star earned over $13.2 million in prize money throughout her time on the tour. This impressive figure comes from her deep runs in singles tournaments and her multiple Grand Slam victories in the doubles discipline.
