Who is Yuliia Starodubtseva? Q&A with Charleston’s star and first time WTA finalist

CHARLESTON, SC — For Yuliia Starodubstevashe did not have excessive expectations coming into the Charleston Open.

The Ukrainian World No. 89 mentioned that whereas she knew her stage was there, her confidence wasn’t as much as par after an up-and-down 2025, and she entered this event as a qualifier till a withdrawal moved her into the principle draw.

In the Lowcountry, Starodubtseva reached her first profession WTA Tour Driven by Mercedes-Benz remaining. She faces defending champion Jessica Pegula for the title. Get to know Starodubtseva, and try the Q&A with wtatennis.com on the backside:

She hasn’t been house to Ukraine in 4 years

With the continued battle in Ukraine, Starodubtseva has not been again house in 4 years, she informed press after her win over Madison Keys within the Charleston semifinals. She at present resides in Berlin, Germany, however is shifting to Barcelona, ​​Spain quickly.

“I still have family back home,” Starodubtseva mentioned. “I have never been house for 4 years. Really miss house. Haven’t seen my dad for 4 years, my grandparents.

“It’s been hard. I keep thinking how to bring us all together, but maybe now it’s going to become easier because I feel like a lot of it depends on the endings.”

She performed collegiately at Old Dominion University

Starodubtseva elected to go the collegiate route overseas from her native Ukraine as a result of on the time she was not financially able to go skilled, and the then 17-year-old selected Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia within the United States.

“In all fairness, like I was 17 years old, and I had no idea about American colleges,” Starodubtseva mentioned to press after her quarterfinal win over McCartney Kessler. “It just seemed like a great opportunity, especially at that moment I wasn’t able to go pro.”

In spring 2022, she went 22-1 in singles matches, with the lone defeat to — satirically — Kessler, who defeated her in a three-set thriller whereas competing for the University of Florida. Starodubtseva mentioned she selected Old Dominion as a result of they offered her with essentially the most assets to compete, and that there have been already fellow Ukrainian gamers on the group.

“I felt like comfortable going there, and they provided me with good full scholarship, food, accommodations. So it was good.”

Furthermore, she met her present coach and boyfriend Pearse Dolan at Old Dominion. He performed on the lads’s group at whereas Starodubtseva was there. Dolan, from Australia, has coached her for the previous 12 months and a half.

She coached on inexperienced clay for a 12 months at a rustic membership

After graduating from Old Dominion in 2022, Starodubtseva spent a 12 months in Westchester, New York and coached at Westchester Country Club. Funny sufficient, there are 15 inexperienced clay courts on the nation membership, which Starodubtseva jokingly credited with her success in Charleston.

“There is an inside joke that I’m so comfortable on green clay because I coached it for a year,” Starodubtseva mentioned Friday.

As she wasn’t instantly in a position to go skilled following college, she earned revenue teaching within the suburb of New York City, and performed UTR (Universal Tennis Rating) tournaments because the bridge to change into skilled. Funny sufficient, she recalled how she additionally performed Kessler in a remaining of 1 these occasions, however this time she had gained.

In Friday’s Charleston quarterfinal win over Kessler, her former boss on the nation membership was in attendance, too.

Her nation membership clientele you may ask?

“Everyone,” Starodubtseva laughed. “I coached a ladies’ clinic, a men’s clinic, kids, camp, whatever you say, 10 hours a day sometimes.”

A Q&A with wtatennis.com after her semifinal win

During your press convention you talked about about your loved ones again house, have they been in a position to watch the run you’re having in Charleston?

Starodubtseva: It was humorous yesterday I completed at night time, and I wasn’t positive if my dad and mom watched. Sometimes they wrestle to discover a stream, again house it is a bit robust. My dad texted me after match. ‘How do you’re feeling? Do you’re feeling excited? Do you’re feeling drained? Do you’re feeling adrenaline? Can you observe now? ‘Can you go and observe now?’

Just a stable japanese European mentality. I’m like ‘Dad, I’m in mattress resting.’

Given the success in Charleston, you mentioned that your telephone is blowing up. How many unread messages do you’ve gotten?

Starodubtseva: (checks telephone) I am unable to even scroll by way of them, that is loopy. And my Instagram is off, so I simply do not see it so it is not in my face all of the time. I’m simply not going to open it up. Hopefully I get some followers now (laughing).

What was your inspiration to get into tennis?

Starodubtseva: I really feel prefer it began form of randomly. I picked a sport for me to do once I was 5. It wasn’t aggressive in any respect at first till possibly 11 (years outdated). I began profitable some house tournaments, then my dad took me to some tournaments in Ukraine, gained that as effectively.

Then I began being aggressive and I felt like possibly I may go additional. At that time, I used to be round 17, and it was the choice to go to school or play professionally. At that time, we felt we weren’t prepared, possibly bodily, mentally and financially as effectively.

Before you went to Old Dominion, what was your notion of American school?

Starodubtseva: My dad was all for it, however I had no concept what was happening (laughing). I wasn’t positive the place I’m going to go, what college, I did not know a lot in regards to the college tradition within the US, though how large it is, as I perceive now.

I really feel I grew up lots in school and turned a greater participant there as effectively. I did my undergrad in intercultural communication, and then my grasp’s in sport administration.

What was your favourite half in regards to the athlete expertise at college?

Starodubtseva: Traveling, I really feel like that may be my greatest and favourite half, simply being with the group and having enjoyable. Sharing rooms, generally sharing a automobile, automobile rides, home events…generally.

Follow-up: On the Tennis Channel, you talked about you prefer to exit?

I’m not like loopy. I went out this 12 months possibly one time (laughing), and that was a fortunate day. In school, possibly a bit extra. Definitely I had enjoyable, however now I’m critical.

What are your largest hobbies or belongings you do off the courtroom?

Starodubtseva: I like to drive, I like good automobiles. I like techno music, listening to lots of that. Sometimes I learn books, however I’m undecided if it is my favourite passion, I simply attempt to do it. Watching motion pictures, TV exhibits, going to cinema right here.

What’s your dream place to drive?

A freeway, in Germany could be nice. The Autobahn, yeah.

Aside from tennis, what different sports activities do you take pleasure in watching or enjoying?

Starodubtseva: I get influenced by my boyfriend, he watches lots of American soccer so I’ve to sit down there and watch it as effectively (laughing).

What’s your favourite group and have you ever been to a sport?

Green Bay Packers. He loves Aaron Rodgers*, me too now. He nonetheless helps them, I do as effectively. Only in school. I have never been to knowledgeable sport. Not a lot alternative.

*Former Green Bay quarterback and present Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback