Yuliia Starodubtseva, a rising star in professional tennis, has captivated fans with her rapid ascent in the WTA rankings. Born in Ukraine and trained in the U.S., her journey from college tennis to Grand Slam qualifiers embodies resilience and talent. By October 2024, she cracked the top 100 for the first time, peaking at No. 79, and became the first woman in the Open era to qualify for all four majors in a single season.
This article dives into her personal life, early struggles, career milestones, and financial achievements.
Yuliia Starodubtseva’s Biography
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Yuliia Volodymyrivna Starodubtseva |
| Date of Birth | 17 February 2000 |
| Age (2025) | 25 years old |
| Education | Graduated from Old Dominion University (Virginia, USA) |
| Nationality | Ukrainian |
| Height | 5’9″ (175 cm) |
| Weight | N/A |
| Turned Pro | 2016 |
| Net Worth | Estimated $800,000–$1.2 million |
| Career Earnings | $699,122 |
| Relationship Status | N/A |
| @starodubtseva_official |
Early Career
Yuliia Starodubtseva’s early tennis journey began at age five in Kakhovka, Ukraine. Despite showing promise in junior tournaments, financial constraints and limited infrastructure in post-Soviet Ukraine threatened to derail her aspirations. At 17, she seized an opportunity to move to the United States on a tennis scholarship at Old Dominion University.
Under coach Carl Thorsen’s guidance, Starodubtseva flourished, becoming an “All-American” in both singles and doubles and reaching the top spot in U.S. college doubles rankings. However, her transition to professional tennis faced hurdles. Between 2018 and 2022, she competed in just one ITF tournament due to funding shortages and the Ukraine-Russia conflict.
A turning point came in 2023 when a GoFundMe campaign raised crucial funds for her career. This support enabled Starodubtseva to claim four ITF singles titles, including three W60 events in the U.S., and make her Grand Slam qualifying debut at the US Open. By November 2023, she had climbed to a career-high ranking of No. 151, setting the stage for her breakthrough in 2024.
Professional Career
Yuliia Starodubtseva’s professional career took off in 2024, marking her arrival on the global tennis stage. Starting the year ranked 150th, she made history by qualifying for all four Grand Slams in a single season—a first for any woman in the Open era. Her Grand Slam debut came at the Australian Open, where she faced World No. 6 Ons Jabeur. Though she lost, the experience boosted her confidence.
Starodubtseva secured her first major win at Wimbledon against Alison Van Uytvanck. Her breakthrough performances came during the Asian swing, reaching her first WTA Tour quarterfinal at the Jasmin Open in Monastir as a qualifier. She then stunned the tennis world at the WTA 1000 China Open in Beijing, defeating top-50 players like Kateřina Siniaková and Anna Kalinskaya en route to the quarterfinals.
These impressive runs catapulted her into the top 100 by October 2024, peaking at No. 79. Starodubtseva’s aggressive baseline play and powerful two-handed backhand have drawn comparisons to fellow Ukrainian Elina Svitolina. As of March 2025, she boasts a 113-64 career singles record and continues to train in New York under coach Carl Thorsen, with her sights set on deeper Grand Slam runs and her first WTA title.
Yuliia Starodubtseva’s Net Worth Details
Yuliia Starodubtseva’s net worth is estimated to be around $1 million to $1.5 million as of 2025.
Career Earnings
| Year | Career Earnings |
|---|---|
| 2023 | ~$200,000 |
| 2024 | ~$450,000 |
| 2025 | $120,730 |
Career Stats
| Category | Statistic |
|---|---|
| Current Singles Ranking | 108 (as of March 17, 2025) |
| Career-High Singles Ranking | 79 (October 7, 2024) |
| Current Doubles Ranking | 345 |
| Career-High Doubles Ranking | 144 (May 6, 2024) |
| Singles Career Record | 114-73 |
| Singles Titles | 0 (WTA), 4 (ITF) |
| Doubles Career Record | 43-26 |
| Doubles Titles | 3 (ITF) |
| Career Prize Money | $837,117 |
| 2025 Prize Money (YTD) | $120,730 |
| Grand Slam Best Result | Wimbledon 2R (2024) |
| WTA Tour Best Result | Quarterfinals (2024 China Open) |
FAQs
1. Who is Yuliia Starodubtseva and what is her background in tennis?
Yuliia Starodubtseva is a Ukrainian professional tennis player born on February 17, 2000, in Kakhovka, Ukraine. She began playing tennis at age 5 and was coached by Anhelina Kalinina’s grandmother until she was 15. Starodubtseva attended Old Dominion University in the United States on a tennis scholarship, where she became an “All-American” in both singles and doubles. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in communications and a master’s degree in sports management before pursuing a professional tennis career.
2. What are Yuliia Starodubtseva’s most significant achievements in professional tennis?
Yuliia Starodubtseva has achieved several notable milestones in her professional tennis career. She reached a career-high singles ranking of 79 on October 7, 2024, and peaked at No. 144 in doubles on May 6, 2024. Starodubtseva has won four singles titles and three doubles titles on the ITF Circuit. In 2024, she became the first woman in the Open era to qualify for all four Grand Slam tournaments in a single season. She also reached her first WTA Tour quarterfinal at the 2024 Jasmin Open and advanced to the quarterfinals of the WTA 1000 China Open.
3. How did Yuliia Starodubtseva’s college tennis career prepare her for professional play?
Yuliia Starodubtseva’s college tennis career at Old Dominion University significantly contributed to her development as a player. In her freshman year (2017-18), she posted the best record on the team at 19-2 and was selected for the All-Conference USA Second Team. Throughout her college career, Starodubtseva achieved “All-American” status in both singles and doubles. She also reached the No. 1 rank in U.S. college doubles rankings and secured a top 20 ranking in singles. These accomplishments helped her build a strong foundation for her transition to professional tennis.
4. What challenges did Yuliia Starodubtseva face in the early stages of her professional career?
Yuliia Starodubtseva encountered several challenges in the early stages of her professional career. Financial constraints and limited infrastructure in post-Soviet Ukraine initially hindered her progress. Between 2018 and 2022, she played only one ITF tournament due to funding shortages and the disruption caused by the Ukraine-Russia conflict. To support her career, Starodubtseva coached part-time at Westchester and Century Country Club and participated in UTR-sanctioned tournaments for funding. A GoFundMe campaign in 2023 raised critical funds to support her travel, coaching, and equipment costs, enabling her to return to competitive tennis full-time.
5. What was Yuliia Starodubtseva’s breakthrough year in professional tennis?
2024 marked Yuliia Starodubtseva’s breakthrough year in professional tennis. She qualified for all four Grand Slam tournaments, becoming the first woman in the Open era to achieve this feat in a single season. Starodubtseva made her major debut at the Australian Open and secured her first main-draw Grand Slam win at Wimbledon. She reached her first WTA Tour quarterfinal at the Jasmin Open in Monastir and advanced to the quarterfinals of the WTA 1000 China Open, defeating several top-50 players. These performances propelled her into the top 100 in the singles rankings for the first time in her career.
6. How has Yuliia Starodubtseva’s playing style been described?
Yuliia Starodubtseva’s playing style is characterized by aggressive baseline play and a powerful two-handed backhand. Her game has drawn comparisons to fellow Ukrainian player Elina Svitolina. Starodubtseva has shown particular proficiency on hardcourts, where she has won 57% of her matches. Her versatility and ability to adapt to different surfaces have been evident in her performances across various tournaments, including her successful runs on both clay and grass courts during the 2024 season.
7. What impact did the conflict in Ukraine have on Yuliia Starodubtseva’s tennis career?
The conflict in Ukraine significantly impacted Yuliia Starodubtseva’s tennis career and personal life. Her hometown of Kakhovka was overrun by Russian forces during the invasion, causing immense stress and worry for her family’s safety. Despite the emotional toll, Starodubtseva displayed remarkable resilience, continuing to compete at a high level while balancing her concerns for her home country. The situation in Ukraine left her unable to return home, further motivating her to succeed in her professional tennis career and use her platform to bring attention to the conflict in her homeland.
8. How has Yuliia Starodubtseva balanced her academic pursuits with her tennis career?
Yuliia Starodubtseva has successfully balanced her academic pursuits with her tennis career. While at Old Dominion University, she excelled both on the court and in the classroom. Starodubtseva maintained a 3.5 grade point average while competing at a high level in college tennis. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in communications and went on to earn a master’s degree in sports management. This commitment to education alongside her athletic achievements demonstrates her ability to manage the demands of both academic and sporting excellence.
9. What are some of Yuliia Starodubtseva’s most notable wins in professional tennis?
Yuliia Starodubtseva has secured several notable wins in her professional tennis career. In 2024, she defeated top-50 players like Kateřina Siniaková and Anna Kalinskaya at the China Open, marking her first victories over highly-ranked opponents. At Wimbledon, she recorded her first main-draw Grand Slam win against Alison Van Uytvanck. During her college career, Starodubtseva and her doubles partner defeated Oklahoma’s Ivana and Carmen Corley, who were ranked first nationally at the time, in the ITA All-American championships. These victories highlight her ability to compete against established players on the professional circuit.
