Career Timeline of Liudmila Samsonova: Major Achievements and Milestones

Discover the career path of Liudmila Samsonova, from the first major opportunity to industry-changing achievements.

Liudmila Samsonova is a Russian professional tennis player. She has achieved a career-high WTA ranking of No. 12 in singles and No. 40 in doubles, demonstrating her skill and success in both single and doubles formats of the sport. Her high rankings and professional career highlights her impact on the world of professional tennis.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

2008: Billie Jean King Cup triumph

In 2008, the Russian team had their last triumph at the Billie Jean King Cup.

2013: Professional Debut

In 2013, Samsonova made her professional debut at consecutive ITF Circuit tournaments in Umag, but lost her both singles qualifying matches.

2014: Represents Italy in professional tennis

Between 2014 and 2018, Liudmila represented Italy in professional tennis, before switching to the Russian flag.

2014: Competes for Italy

In 2014, Samsonova began competing for Italy.

2014: Wins First ITF Title in Rome

In 2014, Samsonova won her first ITF title at a $10k event in Rome, beating three seeded players to clinch the victory despite being unranked.

July 2016: Reaches highest ITF junior ranking

On 18 July 2016, Samsonova reached her highest ITF junior ranking, peaking at the 65th spot.

2016: Returns to the Top 1000

Towards the end of 2016, Samsonova managed to return to the top 1000, after reaching the final of an $10k event in Solarino.

2017: Reaches Three $15k Finals

In 2017, Samsonova reached three $15k finals in Hammamet, Pula and Mâcon, respectively.

2018: Stops representing Italy in professional tennis

Between 2014 and 2018, Liudmila represented Italy in professional tennis, before switching to the Russian flag.

2018: Ends competition for Italy

In 2018, Samsonova ended competing for Italy.

2018: Wins First $25k Title at Open Castilla y León

In 2018, Samsonova won her first $25k title at the Open Castilla y León, defeating Başak Eraydın in the final.

June 2019: Reaches Career-High Ranking After French Open

On 10 June 2019, Samsonova reached a new career-high ranking of world No. 153 after the French Open tournament.

2020: Billie Jean King Cup

During the 2020–21 Billie Jean King Cup, Samsonova led the Russian team to their first triumph since 2008, winning all five of her matches in both singles and doubles.

2020: First Main Draw Appearance in Melbourne

In 2020, Samsonova qualified for the main draw in Melbourne for the first time in her career and set the record of hitting the fastest serve on the women's side throughout the entire tournament.

June 2021: Wins Maiden WTA Tour Title at German Open

In June 2021, Samsonova won her maiden WTA Tour title at the German Open in Berlin, upsetting Belinda Bencic in the final and reaching a career-high ranking of world No. 63 on June 21, 2021.

2021: Wins WTA 500 title at German Open

In 2021, Liudmila Samsonova won her first WTA title, which was a WTA 500 title at the German Open. She also led the Russian team to victory during the 2020–21 Billie Jean King Cup, winning all her matches.

2021: Competes for the Russian Team

Since 2021, Samsonova has competed for the Russian team. She was nominated at the 2020–21 Billie Jean King Cup Finals, where she was pivotal in Russia's win, contributing in both doubles and singles.

May 2022: Reaches Top 25 After Stuttgart Grand Prix

In May 2022, Samsonova reached the top 25 after a semifinal showing at the Stuttgart Grand Prix, where she lost to Iga Świątek.

February 2023: Career-High Rankings After Dubai Tournament

On 27 February 2023, following the Dubai tournament where she won the doubles title with Veronika Kudermetova, Samsonova reached new career-high rankings of world No. 12 in singles and No. 59 in doubles.