#0012 ekaterina makarova

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Ekaterina Makarova — Compact Overview

Basic Information

  • Full name: Ekaterina Valeryevna Makarova
  • Nationality: Russian
  • Born: 7 June 1988, Moscow, Soviet Union (now Russia)
  • Height: 1.80 m (5 ft 11 in)
  • Plays: Left-handed (two-handed backhand)
  • Turned professional: 2004
  • Retired: 2020

Career Highlights

  • Career-high singles ranking: World No. 8 (6 April 2015).
  • Career-high doubles ranking: World No. 1 (10 June 2018).
  • WTA singles titles: 3.
  • WTA doubles titles: 15.
  • Grand Slam women's doubles titles: 3.
  • Grand Slam mixed doubles title: 1.
  • Olympic gold medal: Women's doubles (Rio 2016).
  • Career prize money: More than US$13 million.

Grand Slam Results

  • Australian Open: Semifinal (2015).
  • French Open: Fourth Round (2015).
  • Wimbledon: Semifinal (2014).
  • US Open: Semifinal (2014).

Makarova reached three Grand Slam singles semifinals and established herself as one of the most consistent performers at the major tournaments. Her greatest success, however, came in doubles, where she won Grand Slam titles at the US Open (2014), Wimbledon (2017) and the Australian Open (2018), all alongside Elena Vesnina.

Playing Style

Makarova was an aggressive left-handed all-court player whose game combined powerful groundstrokes with excellent movement and tactical intelligence.

  • Powerful left-handed serve.
  • Heavy forehand with natural spin.
  • Reliable two-handed backhand.
  • Excellent volleying skills.
  • Strong return of serve.
  • Ability to transition smoothly between baseline and net.

Her left-handed angles and versatility made her particularly dangerous on faster courts, while her athleticism allowed her to compete successfully on every surface.

Career Development

After turning professional in 2004, Makarova steadily climbed the rankings before achieving her breakthrough in 2008 with a surprise run to the fourth round of the US Open. She became a regular member of the Top 20 during the following years and reached her career-high singles ranking of World No. 8 in 2015.

Alongside her singles success, she formed one of the strongest doubles partnerships of the decade with Elena Vesnina. Together they completed a Career Grand Slam in women's doubles, won the 2016 Olympic gold medal in Rio de Janeiro, and reached World No. 1 as a team. Makarova retired from professional tennis in 2020 after a career spanning more than fifteen years.

Doubles Success

Doubles became one of the defining aspects of Makarova's career.

  • World No. 1 in doubles.
  • 15 WTA doubles titles.
  • Three Grand Slam women's doubles titles.
  • Career Grand Slam in women's doubles with Elena Vesnina.
  • Olympic gold medal in women's doubles (2016).
  • Winner of the 2017 WTA Finals doubles title.

International Representation

Makarova represented Russia in the Fed Cup, Olympic Games and other international competitions. Together with Elena Vesnina she captured the women's doubles gold medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics, one of the greatest achievements in Russian tennis history.

Strengths

  • Powerful left-handed serve.
  • Excellent all-court game.
  • Outstanding doubles instincts.
  • Strong return of serve.
  • Versatility across all playing surfaces.
  • Calm temperament under pressure.

Areas for Improvement

  • Singles consistency occasionally fluctuated outside Grand Slam events.
  • Injuries interrupted several seasons during the latter part of her career.
  • Faced challenges against the most powerful baseline hitters during peak years.

Legacy

Ekaterina Makarova is remembered as one of Russia's finest players of her generation and one of the elite doubles specialists of the modern era. Her combination of a Top-10 singles career, World No. 1 doubles ranking, three Grand Slam doubles titles, a Career Grand Slam, an Olympic gold medal and sustained success at the biggest tournaments places her among the most accomplished Russian women in professional tennis.

Career Snapshot

  • Russian professional tennis player (2004–2020).
  • Career-high singles ranking: World No. 8.
  • Former World No. 1 in doubles.
  • Winner of 3 WTA singles and 15 WTA doubles titles.
  • Three-time Grand Slam women's doubles champion.
  • Career Grand Slam in women's doubles.
  • Olympic women's doubles gold medalist (Rio 2016).
  • Known for her left-handed power, versatility and exceptional doubles achievements.

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