Former world No.1 Dinara Safina is stepping back onto the tennis stage as the new coach of Russia’s 13th-ranked Diana Shnaider. The 21-year-old rising star made the announcement on Instagram, expressing excitement and hope about this new partnership ahead of her upcoming tournament in Stuttgart, which kicks off on April 14th.
“I am excited to announce that Dinara Safina is joining my team as my new coach. The past few months, I have been searching for a partnership like this that I am confident will be great for me both on and off the court. Dinara is obviously a legend, and I am thrilled to see what we can do together,” Shnaider shared.
Shnaider, a former standout at North Carolina State University, had been coached by her father Maxim following her split from former coach Igor Andreev. Her rise on the Hologic WTA Tour has been impressive, and the addition of Safina signals a serious intent to break into the Top 10 and beyond.
Safina’s comeback to tennis in a coaching role
For those who followed women’s tennis in the late 2000s, Dinara Safina needs no introduction. Known for her physicality, consistency from the baseline, and fierce competitiveness, the younger sister of ATP’s Marat Safin was once a formidable force on tour. She reached the world No.1 ranking in…
