The Brazilian specialist who mastered the art of doubles
In short: Luisa Stefani didn't just enter the professional tennis circuit; she redefined what Brazilian women could achieve. After pivoting from singles to doubles to maximize her opportunities, she climbed the rankings to become the first Brazilian woman in the Open Era to reach the world's top 10 and top 5.
Stefani's ascent was marked by strategic shifts and remarkable resilience. In 2019, she made the pivotal decision to focus exclusively on doubles after seeing greater success in the format. This move led to a rapid rise, including a career-high doubles ranking of No. 75 in October 2019. Her career has been punctuated by significant milestones, such as becoming the second Brazilian woman to win a major title—after Maria Bueno—when she won the 2023 Australian Open mixed-doubles title with Rafael Matos.
Her success is not without its setbacks. Stefani has navigated significant physical challenges, including emergency appendicitis surgery and a major knee injury that required anterior cruciate ligament surgery, forcing her to sit out much of 2021. Despite these hurdles, she returned to the top tier of the sport, reaching a career-high doubles ranking of world No. 3 in September 2026.
Stefani's impact extends to the Olympic stage as well. Partnering with Laura Pigossi, she secured a bronze medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, making her one of only two Brazilians to win an Olympic medal in tennis. Her ability to perform under pressure was evident in the Tokyo final super tiebreak, where she and Pigossi saved four match points to secure their victory.
Beyond individual accolades, Stefani has been a key figure in Brazilian tennis history. As a member of the inaugural all-Brazilian duo to secure a major trophy, she has set new records for her nation, including climbing into the WTA Top 10 and Top 5 during the Open Era.
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