Natasha Zvereva is a former professional tennis player from Belarus. She was born as Natalya Maratovna Zvereva on April 16, 1971, in Minsk, Belarus. Her parents, Marat Nikolayevich Zverev and Nina Grigoryevna Zvereva, were both tennis instructors in the Soviet Union. Zvereva began playing tennis at the age of seven, encouraged by her parents.
As a junior player, Zvereva showcased her talent early on. In 1986, she won the Wimbledon girls’ singles title, defeating Leila Meskhi in the final with a score of 2–6, 6–2, 9–7. The following year, she claimed the US Open girls singles championship, beating Sandra Birch in the final with a score of 6–0, 6–3.
Turning professional, Zvereva achieved success in both singles and doubles throughout her career. She won four WTA Tour singles titles and an impressive 80 WTA Tour doubles titles. Among her doubles titles, 18 of them came in Grand Slam tournaments, including five at Wimbledon, four at the US Open, five at the French Open, and four at the Australian Open. Zvereva partnered with different players to win these Grand Slam doubles titles, including Gigi Fernández, Martina Hingis, Pam Shriver, and Larisa Savchenko Neiland.
Zvereva’s partnership with Gigi Fernández proved to be particularly successful. Together, they became the most accomplished women’s doubles team in terms of WTA Tour and major titles since the legendary duo of Martina Navratilova and Pam Shriver. Zvereva and Fernández achieved non-calendar year Grand Slams twice, first in 1992–93 and then again in 1996–97. In addition to her Grand Slam success, Zvereva and Leila Meskhi won a bronze medal at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona.
Although Zvereva excelled in doubles, her singles career had more limited success. However, at the age of 17, she reached her only Grand Slam singles final at the French Open in 1988. In a highly anticipated match, Zvereva faced Steffi Graf and unfortunately lost with a score of 0–6, 0–6 in only 34 minutes. This final is widely considered to be one of the most one-sided and shortest Grand Slam finals in history.
Off the court, Zvereva made waves as she became the first major athlete in the Soviet Union to publicly demand the right to keep her tournament earnings. This bold move showcased her determination and helped pave the way for future athletes in the region.
In recognition of her incredible achievements and contributions to the sport, Zvereva was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame on July 12, 2010, alongside her doubles partner Gigi Fernández. This honor solidifies her legacy as one of the most successful and influential tennis players of her time.
Overall, Natasha Zvereva’s career as a professional tennis player is marked by her remarkable success in doubles, her pioneering spirit in advocating for athletes’ rights, and her significant impact on the sport. She remains a celebrated figure in women’s tennis and a testament to the power and determination of female athletes.
Awards:
– Inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame (2010)