In the competitive world of professional tennis, where the costs of equipment, coaching, and travel can be astronomical, some players have faced even greater obstacles on their path to success. The stories of several top tennis stars reveal how they have overcome daunting circumstances, from war-torn childhoods to financial hardships, to reach the pinnacle of their sport.
Oleksandra Oliynykova, a 25-year-old Ukrainian player, recently made her debut in the main draw of the Australian Open. Growing up in a country ravaged by war, Oliynykova had to flee Ukraine as a child due to her father’s opposition to the pro-Russian president. Even as she trained for the season-opening major, Oliynykova faced the ever-present threat of missiles, with no electricity or water in her Kyiv apartment. “A drone hit the home across the road. My apartment was literally shaking because of the explosion,” she recounted.
The $150,000 (£75,757) Oliynykova earned for her first-round appearance at the Australian Open will help her both on and off the court. This prize money is one of the reasons leading players are campaigning for the Grand Slams to offer more prize money, as it can make a significant difference for those coming from humble beginnings.
Damir Dzumhur, a Bosnian player who has been a fixture in the men’s top 100 over the past decade, was born in Sarajevo while missiles rained down on the city as the former Yugoslavia dissolved. “My first steps on the court were in a small school gym, which was used for football and basketball, not tennis,” the world number 66 recalled. “They just put the net in the middle and that’s where I started playing.”
Novak Djokovic, considered by many as the greatest player of all time, also faced adversity in his childhood. As a child, Djokovic was forced to take shelter in Belgrade as NATO bombed the Serbian capital between March and June 1999. “We had to wait in line for bread, milk, water, some basic things in life. That probably has been my foundation, the fact I came from literally nothing,” the 38-year-old said.
These players’ stories serve as a testament to the resilience, discipline, and mentality that can be forged through overcoming hardships. As Daniela Hantuchova, a former world number five, observed, “When I decided I wanted to play tennis, I asked my parents if – one day – I could have a chance of getting a racquet. I knew I had to wait until their monthly salary allowed them to do so.”
Despite the odds stacked against them, these tennis stars have not only reached the pinnacle of their sport but have also become symbols of their nations, providing a voice for their compatriots on the international stage. They have set up charitable foundations to give back to the countries and people that shaped them, a particularly welcomed gesture in times of hardship.
As Marta Kostyuk, the world number 20, eloquently stated, “I believe sport can bring hope and change lives.” The stories of these remarkable tennis players serve as a powerful reminder that with determination and resilience, even the most daunting challenges can be overcome.
