Di Squared: Former No. 1 Dinara Safina to coach Diana Shnaider

Diana Shnaider became the latest WTA star to announce a “super coach” hire in 2025, announcing a new partnership with former world No. 1 Dinara Safina.

“The past few months, I have been searching for a partnership like this that I am confident will be great for me both on and off the court,” wrote Shnaider, the current world No. 12, on Instagram Tuesday.

Safina, who officially retired from tennis in 2014, is set to re-join the tour just weeks after brother Marat Safin joined Andrey Rublev’s coaching team. Safina and Safin are the only sister-brother duo to become world No. 1 on the WTA and ATP rankings.

Read more: Rublev talks coaching partnership with Marat Safin

“Dinara is obviously a legend, and I am thrilled to see what we can do together💪” wrote Shnaider.

A former college standout, Shnaider, who turned 21 last week, has made a seamless transition from North Carolina State University to the WTA circuit, winning four singles titles in 2024 and an Olympic silver medal in doubles (with countrywoman Mirra Andreeva).

Currently at a career-high ranking, Shnaider had been working with her father Maxim in the months since splitting with former coach Igor Andreev.

“While taking the time find this new partnership, I am appreciative of my dad for helping me out as my coach. My parents and little brother are my biggest supporters in the whole world and I am grateful for their continued support and love❤️”

Shnaider will play her first red clay tournament of the year at the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart.