Dinara Safina Returns to Tennis as Coach to Diana Shnaider | WTA Partnership

Dinara Safina, former world No. 1 and Grand Slam runner-up, returns to tennis as coach to Diana Shnaider. The 21-year-old Shnaider, already a 4-time WTA titleholder, is poised for even greater success with Safina’s guidance, beginning at the WTA 500 in Stuttgart.

Dinara Safina Returns to Tennis as Coach to Rising Star Diana Shnaider

Former world No. 1 Dinara Safina is officially back in the tennis spotlight—not as a player, but as a coach guiding one of the sport’s brightest young stars. The Russian tennis legend, who retired from professional play in 2011 due to a recurring back injury, is now teaming up with world No. 13 Diana Shnaider in a bold new chapter of her tennis journey.

Shnaider, a 21-year-old left-hander known for her aggressive baseline play and growing WTA resume, has already captured four WTA titles and continues to rise in the rankings. With Safina now in her corner, the young Russian is setting her sights on even greater milestones, including Grand Slam success and a potential top-10 breakthrough.

In a heartfelt Instagram announcement, Shnaider called Safina a “true legend” and expressed her excitement about their collaboration. Their first tournament together will be the upcoming WTA 500 event in Stuttgart, where they aim to make an immediate impact on the red clay—historically a favorite surface for both players.

Safina’s return to the professional circuit in this new coaching role also echoes a larger family comeback: her brother, former ATP world No. 1 Marat Safin, recently joined the coaching team of top-ranked Russian player Andrey Rublev. The Safin-Safina legacy, long celebrated in Russian tennis history, is now making waves in a new era of player development.

As Safina brings her Grand Slam experience and fierce competitive mindset to Shnaider’s team, fans and analysts alike are eager to see how this mentor-mentee duo will shape the WTA Tour’s next chapter. Will this be the pairing that elevates Shnaider from rising star to champion contender?

Their journey begins in Stuttgart, but the road ahead could lead straight to the biggest stages in tennis.