The youngest history-maker to conquer 60k-level tennis tournaments
In short: At just over 15 years old, Alina Korneeva didn't just enter the professional circuit; she shattered age records. By winning a tournament at the 60k-level, she became one of the youngest players in history to achieve such a feat, marking her rapid ascent from junior phenom to WTA contender.
Born in Moscow in 2007 to Aleksandr Korneev—a bronze medalist from the 2008 Summer Olympics—Alina Korneeva has quickly established herself as a formidable force in women's tennis. During a period of junior dominance, she secured the highest number of girls' singles trophies throughout 2022. She attained the top spot within the ITF junior combined standings by May 1, 2023.
Korneeva’s rise is marked by historic milestones. In June 2023, she became the first player since 1990 to win both the Australian Open and French Open girls' singles titles in a single year. Her ability to transition to the professional ranks was evidenced in March 2023 when, at age 15 years, eight months, and 18 days, she won the W60 event in Pretoria, becoming only the fifth youngest player ever to win a tournament at the 60k-level or above.
Her professional career has seen rapid evolution. After making her WTA Tour debut in October 2023, she secured her first WTA 125 title in February 2026. By July 2026, she reached a career-high ranking of No. 75 after a deep run at the inaugural Athens Open. Most notably, during the August 2026 Canadian Open, she achieved back-to-back victories over top-30 and top-20 seeds before falling to fourth seed Coco Gauff in the round of 16.
While often nicknamed the "mini Sharapova," Korneeva's success is built on a mix of clinical efficiency and resilience. This was best displayed during her junior major debut at the Australian Open, where she defeated her close friend Mirra Andreeva in a grueling three-set final, proving she could handle high-pressure moments against her closest peers.
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