Name: Dinara Safina
DOB: April 27, 1986
Place of Birth: Moscow, Soviet Union
Country: Russia
Height: 6' 1
Turn pro: 2001
Plays: Right-handed, two-handed backhand
Racquet: Babolat Aero Storm Tour
Dinara Safina was born in Moscow, Russia on April 27, 1986. Her parents Rauza and Mikhail had a long history with tennis – her father had once been a coach and her mother was an ex tennis junior champion. They also owned the “Spartak Tennis Club”. As a result, Dinara was heavily exposed to the sport of tennis in her childhood and thus started to hit her first balls when she was only three years of age. By age eight, she began the process of serious training.
Dinara showed an early potential for tennis, which did not come as a surprise. The entire Safin family is essentially associated with tennis in one way or another. Five years after her debut, Dinara and her mother moved to Valencia, Spain to train and polish her skills. There, she worked with her brother to achieve her own athletic style, which eventually evolved into one full of fervor and inspiration. Dinara’s “game” is no doubt a treat for the eyes – its signature touch of passion captures her audience.
Immediately after her debut, Dinara became a phenomenon. As a junior, she was ranked first in her category, a feat that did not go unnoticed. As a professional player, Dinara reached the semifinals of her very first WTA tournament, which proved to be another notable achievement. She eventually went on to win the WTA tour title at Sopot, becoming the youngest winner at the age of 16 years and 3 months (since four years).