Another tennis love story: Former Top-15 WTA player marries the coach who guided her career

Sunday, 19 July 2026 at 20:00

Samsonova holding the racket with both hands, awaits the ball from the back of the court.

Liudmila Samsonova has started a new chapter away from the tennis court after marrying her long-time partner Alessandro Dumitrache in a ceremony held in Rome, Italy. The Russian player shared glimpses of the celebration through Instagram Stories, marking a special moment after several years together.

Samsonova and Dumitrache have been in a relationship since 2020, with their connection also extending into tennis. Dumitrache has worked alongside Samsonova as part of her coaching team, becoming an important figure both in her personal life and professional career.

The couple announced their engagement in December 2025 after a memorable season for Samsonova, which saw her achieve the biggest Grand Slam result of her career by reaching the Wimbledon quarter-finals.

The wedding comes shortly after two other high-profile tennis couples also celebrated major milestones. Australian star Alex de Minaur and British player Katie Boulter tied the knot earlier this week, also Daria Kasatkina with her long-time partner Natalia Zabiiako, while American ATP player Tommy Paul married Paige Lorenze in a ceremony attended by several of his fellow players, including Taylor Fritz, Frances Tiafoe and Reilly Opelka.

Samsonova’s breakthrough Wimbledon run and WTA success

Samsonova enters this new chapter as one of the most accomplished players of her generation. The Russian is a two-time Billie Jean King Cup champion with her country, having been part of the title-winning teams in 2020 and 2021, and has established herself as a consistent threat against the top players on tour.

Her best Grand Slam performance came at Wimbledon 2025, where she reached the quarter-finals for the first time at a major tournament. Her run ended against eventual champion Iga Swiatek, but the result marked a career milestone and confirmed her ability to compete deep into the biggest events.

Samsonova’s career has already produced five WTA titles from nine finals, with her most recent triumph coming on grass at the 2024 Libema Open.

The Russian has also enjoyed success at the WTA 1000 level, reaching two finals in 2023 at the Canadian Open and China Open. Since then, she has continued producing strong runs at the highest level, including three additional WTA 1000 quarter-final appearances.

Samsonova has won five titles from nine career finals, with her most recent championship coming on grass at the Libema Open in 2024, where she defeated former US Open champion Bianca Andreescu in the final. Her latest final appearance came at the Internationaux de Strasbourg, where she finished runner-up to Elena Rybakina.

Throughout her career, Samsonova has collected 10 victories over Top-10 opponents, further highlighting her ability to challenge the elite names of the WTA Tour.

Huge congrats to Liuda Samsonova! 🥳🎉 pic.twitter.com/WDSOvzTJ3h
— til polarity's end 🎾⚡Slamdreeva era⚡⚫⚪ (@lildarkcage) July 18, 2026

A tennis journey shaped by Italy

Although Samsonova was born in Olenegorsk, Russia, she moved to Italy as an infant and developed much of her tennis career in the country. At six years old, she began training at the Piatti Tennis Centre in Bordighera, where she crossed paths with future world No. 1 Jannik Sinner during their early development years.

The 27-year-old eventually climbed to a career-high ranking of world No. 12 in 2022, becoming one of the most powerful and dangerous players on the WTA Tour.

Liudmila Samsonova and Alessandro Dumitrache are officially married today in Rome!

Wishing this lovely pair lifetime happiness 💖🥰 pic.twitter.com/nDgo67cP0z
— WTARussians (@WTArussians) July 18, 2026

Dumitrache, meanwhile, also has a tennis background. Born in Italy in 1992, he briefly competed on the ITF Tour before moving into coaching and later becoming an ambassador for sportswear brand Asics.

Their relationship has developed alongside Samsonova’s professional journey, with Dumitrache supporting her through some of the most important stages of her career. Now married, Samsonova will look to continue building on her success on court while beginning a new chapter in her personal life.

Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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