By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Thursday December 31, 2020
Elena Vesnina has announced her plans to return to tennis in 2021. The former World No.1 in doubles and World No.13 in singles gave birth to her daughter in November of 2018.
Photo Source: AP
After giving birth to her baby girl Elizaveta in November of 2018, Elena Vesnina has switched roles from doubles dominator to supermom. In 2021 the former World No.1, Olympic Gold Medalist and Wimbledon singles semifinalist is now ready to return to tennis.
Vesnina, now 34, announced on Instagram on Thursday that she will be making her return to the court later this season– time and date to be determined.
I am coming back to @wta,” Vesnina posted. “I am very excited about it, but at the same time a bit scared. Will let you know about my calendar a bit later. Waiting for the official WTA calendar to be updated.”
Vesnina, who won Olympic Gold in doubles in 2016, stopped playing in 2018, after climbing to No.1 in the world with Ekaterina Makarova. She topped out at No.13 in the world in singles in 2017, and owns three singles titles, including the title at Indian Wells in 2017. Vesnina has won three Grand Slam doubles titles and one in mixed.
In 2018 Vesnina froze her ranking upon taking maternity leave, and will be eligible to use that ranking, which is good for any time within three years, upon her return. According to WTA regulations, a player may enter eight tournaments using the ranking she earned immediately prior to her maternity leave up to three years after the start of that maternity leave.
Reportedly, Vesnina is planning to begin a partnership with Vera Zvonareva when she resumes playing. Vesnina owns 19 doubles titles and has competed in 44 WTA doubles finals.
Vesnina and Zvonareva reached the Wimbledon doubles final as a tandem in 2010.