The Russian tennis star who lived in Prague but didn't switch sides
In short: Ekaterina Alexandrova has spent nearly two decades training in the Czech Republic, yet she remains a Russian athlete. Despite the logistical ease of a Czech passport and the complexities of international travel, she chose to stay with her original nationality, navigating a career defined by quiet persistence and major upsets.
Born in 1994, Alexandrova moved to Prague in 2006 with her parents and siblings after a youth tournament. The move was driven by the local availability of tennis courts rather than a desire for relocation. While she speaks Czech fluently and has long been tempted by the 'easier life' of a Czech passport—particularly regarding travel visas—she ultimately decided against the switch. She noted that she was never skilled enough to attract interest from the Czech Tennis Association for a citizenship change, and she ultimately could not decide if another nationality was the right path.
Her professional journey began in 2016, a year marked by a significant breakthrough at the Open de Limoges. Entering as world No. 133, she stunned the field by defeating three local favorites, including top seed Caroline Garcia, to claim her first WTA 125 title. This period established her as a 'giant killer,' a reputation she solidified at Wimbledon in 2016 when she pulled off one of the tournament's biggest upsets by defeating former world No. 1 Ana Ivanovic in straight sets.
Alexandrova's career is characterized by steady progression. By securing the 2020 Shenzhen Open, she achieved the initial WTA Tour victory of the current decade. Her rankings have fluctuated, reaching a career-high of world No. 10 in October 2025. Throughout her career, she has balanced high-profile victories against icons like Serena Williams and Simona Halep with a consistent presence on the tour, often relying on her father, Evgeny, as her primary coach.
Her international profile expanded in 2020 when she represented Russia for the first time in the Fed Cup. As the Russian No. 1, she led her team to a 3–2 victory over Romania. Despite the pressures of being a national representative and the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, she maintained her trajectory, eventually securing eight WTA Tour titles combined across singles and doubles.
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