A presence that makes a difference! Ekaterina Alexandrova’s US Open dreams are on the right track as the Russian pro is taking on the world No. 2 player in the third round at Flushing Meadows! The four singles title winner, who reached the second round in New York last year, has vowed to make a promising impact this year. And cheering her on is a constant figure in her box—her father, Evgeny!

Ekaterina relocated to Prague in 2006, drawn by the city’s abundant tennis courts, and has been living and training there with her family ever since. Growing up by idolizing Steffi Graf, the now-29-year-old player dreamt of becoming a successful tennis player. Propelling her forward, every step of the way, was her father, who started coaching her when she was six years old! Although her coaching team currently includes another professional Czech tennis player, Petr Kralert, her father, Evgeny, still serves as her primary coach, going to several matches to support her from the player’s box.

With Evgeny’s constant guidance, Ekaterina Alexandrova started her professional career in 2011 and five years later made a place for herself in the WTA Tour. It was the same year (2016) when she grabbed her first WTA 125 title and also made a debut at a Grand Slam (Wimbledon championships). Following a top 100 debut in 2017, Alexandrova had a breakthrough the following year, defeating the current and former top players and soaring through new heights! Success followed her quickly as her father saw Alexandrova reach the Russian No. 1 spot and even made an Olympic debut in 2021!

In the same year, Alexandrova appeared for an interview where she was asked, “Are you planning to search for someone to join your team or you are going to work with your father?” The seven singles title winner in the ITF circuit explained, “I don’t know yet. We will see after the end of the season. For now I am fine working with my father, hope he it’s fine by him, too (laughter).”

After a couple years, she reached the No. 16 rank in 2023 after a third-round finish at the Australian Open while her father witnessed it all. Moreover, in that same interview, Ekaterina Alexandrova also explained the raw reaction of her father when she reached the top spot in her country!

Ekaterina Alexandrova reveals her father’s reaction when she became the Russian No. 1 player!

As per Ekaterina Alexandrova, her father is a devoted tennis fan. Therefore, when Alexandrova reached the spot of the Russian No. 1 in 2019, her father was naturally “very happy” about it, along with the fact that she has also had a “good season,” in tennis. However, she further added, “But I can’t say he is getting lenient on me because of that. On the contrary, he understands that I am in the Top50 now, and if I want to stay there for good, I have to work better.”

In 2020, Ekaterina Alexandrova earned her first WTA singles title at the Shenzhen Open and even led the Russian team in the Fed Cup. Talking about her father’s response to her amazing tennis, she further added, “And I agree with him. He is happy and at the same time he understands we have to work more.”

As Ekaterina continues to soar up the rankings, one thing is certain – her father will be right there in her corner, cheering her on every step of the way.