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Time of India
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Meet the Kudermetova Sisters: Tennis' new 'Power duo' after the Williams legacy
Image via Instagram/ Polina Kudermetova In the dynamic world of tennis, the Kudermetova sisters—Veronika and Polina—shine brightly, not by coincidence but through dedication, resilience, and familial bond. Born into a sports‑obsessed household, they've both carved out remarkable paths that speak to their perseverance and drive. Despite the inevitable comparisons between a former top‑10 star and her rising sibling, each has embraced her unique journey. Veronika, already a household name in professional tennis, has paved the way with her powerful serve and impressive doubles triumphs. Polina, the younger sister, is fearlessly creating her own legacy, blending raw talent with mental fortitude. Their story isn't just one of sibling rivalry—it's a testament to shared dreams, unwavering support, and the power of lifting each other. In this article, we'll explore their family roots, highlight Polina's accomplishments, delve into Veronika's personal life, and trace the meteoric rise of these two inspiring athletes. For the Kudermetova sisters , sports runs in the blood Image via Instagram/ Polina Kudermetova The foundation of Veronika and Polina's success lies in their deeply athletic household. Their father, Eduard Kudermetov, was a celebrated ice‑hockey player—twice a Russian national champion—who instilled the values of discipline and grit in his daughters . by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Invertir con Cervecería Nacional CFD, si tienes 30 o más, puede alegrar tu cuenta bancaria Empieza a invertir hoy Inscríbete ahora Undo While information on their mother remains private, it's clear that both young women benefited from a childhood immersed in sport. Born in Kazan in 1997, Veronika began her tennis journey at age eight and later moved to Moscow to train at the renowned CSKA club. Polina, born June 4, 2003, followed suit, hitting her first tennis ball at seven and embracing the family ethos of athletic excellence. Polina Kudermetova 's rise to spotlight The younger Kudermetova has steadily ascended through the ranks with poise and promise. As of April 14, 2025, she reached a career‑high WTA singles ranking of No. 54, later hovering around the mid‑50s by June . She has earned nearly US $891,000 in prize money through consistent performances, including a quarterfinal at the 2023 Korea Open. Polina's résumé boasts nine ITF singles titles and two doubles titles, evidencing a strong foundation built on the ITF circuit. She made her Grand Slam main‑draw debut at the Australian Open in 2023 and 2025, and her breakthrough came early in 2025, as she stunned top‑10 player Daria Kasatkina en route to a WTA‑500 quarterfinal in Brisbane. Her first top‑10 victory (Kasatkina ranked No. 9) came at that event, highlighting her mental resilience and shot‑making prowess. Known for a two‑handed backhand and a hard‑court preference, Polina plays with maturity beyond her years under coach Ravshan Sultanov. Her tenacity was on full display in Seoul at a WTA‑500 event, where she battled back from down match points to reach the quarters, supported every step of the way by her sister and mother. Veronika Kudermetova 's legacy in the tennis courts The elder sister has long been a force in women's tennis. Born April 24, 1997, Veronika reached a career‑high ranking of No. 9 in singles (October 2022) and No. 2 in doubles (June 2022). She has won two WTA singles titles, including the 2021 Charleston Open, and remains a doubles powerhouse with eight WTA titles, three at the WTA‑1000 level. Veronika's most notable doubles achievement came when she and Elise Mertens lifted the 2022 WTA Finals trophy, besting Krejcikova and Siniakova . As a singles player, she reached the quarterfinals of the 2022 French Open and the 2021 Wimbledon doubles final. Off the court, Veronika is married to her longtime coach, Sergei Demekhine, a former pro player. The pairing began professionally in 2012 and shifted to romance by 2015; they married in 2017. Despite a 13‑year age gap, their relationship remains strong—Veronika admitted in 2020 that familial and cultural values informed their bond, and that she had sheer admiration for him as her coach long before romance blossomed. The Kudermetova sisters' journey to spotlight and victory From early training sessions to shared locker‑room moments on tour, the Kudermetova sisters have supported and inspired one another. Veronika's success served as both pathway and motivator for Polina, who has consistently been present at Veronika's matches—even across continents. Their dual quarterfinal showing at the 2024 Korea Open caught headlines: Veronika defeated Samsonova, while Polina secured her own upset win against Ekaterina Alexandrova. When Veronika lost in a late‑season slump, she credited Polina's deeper advancement as a wake‑up call. The first official WTA main‑tour sisters‑versus match took place at the 2025 Madrid Open, where Veronika prevailed 6‑2, 6‑2—an emotional yet respectful showdown. Despite it being a rivalry by draw, each has handled the challenge with sportsmanship and mutual pride. A shared philosophy—which Veronika often emphasizes—involves focusing on 'point by point' and staying mentally tough, advice Polina creditably applied to her own comeback wins. Their journey, branded by incremental achievements and tangible proof of talent, is one of relentless dedication. The story of Veronika and Polina Kudermetova is more than that of two talented athletes—it's a heartfelt chronicle of sisterhood, legacy, and relentless pursuit of excellence. With roots planted in a sports‑centric family, they have each forged their own path: Veronika with disciplined skill and a decorated career, Polina with courage and a flame of promise. United by shared values and mutual support, the sisters have shown that success is sweetest when celebrated together. As Polina rises and Veronika continues to thrive, their legacy is destined not only in trophies won, but in the inspiration they provide for future generations of athletes. Also read: Is Iga Swiatek's patterned misbehavior a subtle indication to a bigger problem? Game On Season 1 continues with Mirabai Chanu's inspiring story. Watch Episode 2 here.
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New Straits Times
23-05-2025
- Sport
- New Straits Times
Former world No.1 Srikanth is prepared to start low again [WATCH]
KUALA LUMPUR: India's former world No. 1 K. Srikanth is making strides after starting from low again. At the ongoing Malaysia Masters, he had to battle his way through the qualifying rounds to reach the main draw. Now ranked a modest world No. 65, Srikanth upset France's world No. 18 Toma Junior Popov 24-22, 17-21, 22-20 in the quarter-finals on Friday at the Axiata Arena. he win saw Srikanth reach his first Super 500 semi-final since the 2022 Korea Open. Injuries have led to the Indian shuttler sliding down his world No. 1 spot in 2018. As a result, he has to play the qualifying rounds in higher-tier tournaments. However, the 32-year-old remains undeterred, citing his early career experience as a source of motivation. "I did not compete in many tournaments during the second half of last year, so I lost quite a lot of points," Srikanth said. "When I first started on the international circuit 10–12 years ago, I began from the qualifying rounds. I worked my way up to world No. 1 from there, so I'm not daunted by having to go through qualifying again. Srikanth will face Japan's world No. 23 Yushi Tanaka in the semi-final. Tanaka overcame Christo Popov 21-18, 16-21, 21-16 in the other quarter-final.
