Beginner’s Guide: Diana Shnaider stands at crossroads with Australian Open breakthrough

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Diana Shnaider thought she knew where she was going. The junior standout announced her intention to leave the pro ranks to play college tennis at N.C. State, but those plans may be on the backburner indefinitely after a breakthrough Australian Open that has essentially guaranteed a Top 100 debut.

Get to know the 18-year-old before she plays the biggest match of her young career against Maria Sakkari on Margaret Court Arena.

The Basics

Amid a wave of young Czech stars like the Fruhvirtova sisters and Linda Noskova, Shnaider emerged on the junior Grand Slam stage alongside fellow Russian Oksana Selekhmeteva. A year younger than the two-time major girl’s doubles champion, the bandana-wearing, big-swinging lefty came into her own just as she appeared ready pivot towards a potentially fruitful doubles career.

“One of my mother’s friends told us about N.C. State,” she explained in a video announcing her commitment to play during the 2022-2023 season. “Right now, the situation is really bad for me, and for Russians to travel, so we made the decision that it would be the right time to come here.”

Within a week of that announcement, she put down an impressive finish to her junior tennis career, reaching the US Open semifinals in girl’s singles and winning the doubles—clearly making her reconsider whether the pro circuit wasn’t worth a shot.

“There are top players playing,” she said of the junior Grand Slams, “so you have to be prepared physically, mentally, technically, so, everything.”

The Latest

Shnaider took that form into the fall, where she won her first WTA 125K title in Montevideo to put herself on the precipice of a Top 100 debut.

Looking to make her Grand Slam main draw debut, she blitzed the Australian Open qualifying tournament without dropping a set, defeating 2021 junior US Open winner Robin Montgemery en route.

Two tight sets against Slovak veteran Kristina Kucova put the teenager into the second round, where she’ll face former world No. 3 Maria Sakkari to continue her bourgeoning pro career’s fairytale start.

Why It Matters

How Shnaider fares against Sakkari should prove highly instructive—both to Shnaider herself and the N.C. State coaches who believed she was passing up on pro-level success by pursuing the college route.

Of course, the decision may have already been made: after all, she has already earned around $200,000 in prize money from her four wins in Australia, money she can’t claim without turning pro and giving up college for good. Should she stun Sakkari—and pull off what would be the biggest upset of the tournament thus far—she’ll be closing in on a $300K payday.

With her imposing all-court game and impressive versatility, Shnaider will likely be one to watch in singles and doubles for years to come, wherever she ultimately lands.