Diana Shnaider, the great revelation of the year on the women's circuit

Carlos Navarro | 4 Nov 2024 | 14.51

Diana Schneider, with the title of champion in Hong Kong. Source: Getty

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The evolution of Diana Shnaider may have gone somewhat unnoticed by the general public, those who only focus on the Grand Slams. She has emerged as the great revelation of the season on the WTA circuit. Those who wish to ignore this young Russian, with a fantastic ability to change directions and play on the baseline, will no longer be able to do so. The left-hander clinched her fourth title of the season at the WTA Hong Kong 2024, placing herself alongside the privileged company of Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka on the list of players with the most crowns in 2024.

Shnaider executes with the calmness of someone who knows she was born for this. On the court, she is an ice queen who never loses her composure. Her style somewhat differs from the circuit's tall and slender big hitters; it is pure talent, coupled with a ball weight that, combined with her left-handed spins, troubles all her opponents. Her season has been marked by organic evolution, steadily progressing: she was #108 in the world in February... and will end the year as #12 in the world, just a step away from the top 10.

Her latest triumph in Hong Kong comes with a somewhat special confession. "I was born on the second day of April, so I love these combinations with the number two and four. We are in 2024, I won in Hua Hin, in its fourth edition; I won in Bad Homburg, also in its fourth edition... that number keeps following me. I guess it's a lucky charm for me," Diana pointed out after, as expected, securing her fourth title of the year. This peculiar symbolism places her in a different league, a league where only Swiatek (five) and Sabalenka (four) match Shnaider in titles quantitatively.

"It's great to be alongside them. It's clear I will keep pushing myself to share the same stages with them, to win more tournaments and of higher importance. That's the future. This year, I've already done an incredible job. Next year, everyone will prepare to play against me, they will already know my game. It's important for me to play against the best in the world. Even with many losses, I will try to stay as positive as possible, I will continue building my game, my mindset, my physical shape. There are still many things I need to achieve and improve to, for example, reach the top 10. It's not a sprint, I want to be patient," the mature Russian remarked.

A FUTURE PRECEDED BY A CLEAR REST

Shnaider's goal for the upcoming season clearly revolves around the Grand Slams. It is her only weak spot: she has only reached the second week in a Major once (US Open 2024), albeit having little exposure to such events until this season. Before gearing up for the top titles, Diana is crystal clear about her next goal after an exhausting year: to enjoy a well-deserved vacation with her family. "My mother has already made the plan. One of the things I want to do is go to Disneyland. I have a younger brother, so I'm excited to go there and experience some thrills, although I've already experienced them in my last two matches here." Remember, she's only 20 years old... and after a visit to the amusement park, she is eager to conquer the tennis world with her powerful shots.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Diana Shnaider, la gran revelación del año en el circuito femenino

Diana Shnaider