Vera Zvonareva’s ageless Dubai miracle: 41-year-old storms into singles and doubles finals

The news of Vera Zvonareva's return at the W100 Dubai in the United Arab Emirates surprised the tennis world earlier this week. The former World No. 2 had definitively stepped away from tennis in May 2024 after a severe shoulder injury but managed to get physically fit and return before the end of 2025.

Zvonareva had a distinguished WTA career, reaching consecutive finals at Wimbledon and the US Open in 2010, in addition to winning the Indian Wells title in 2009. She won a total of 12 titles and reached 18 other finals—including 6 WTA 1000s and the WTA Finals 2008.

The Russian player's comeback has not been merely anecdotal, as she is having a dream week in Dubai. In a memorable week, Zvonareva secured her spot in the singles final after defeating the 16-year-old British teenager Mika Stojsavljevic (No. 342)—making Zvonareva 25 years older than her opponent.

It took Zvonareva over three hours to clinch a tight victory, in which her rival Stojsavljevic—the 2024 US Open Junior Singles champion—mounted a notable comeback from a break down in the second set. After three hours and 12 minutes, Zvonareva closed out the win 6-3, 6-7(4), 6-4 and will compete in a professional final once again.

The Russian had debuted successfully against World No. 238 Tara Wurth, with a 6-3, 6-4 victory. She then overcame No. 508 Tereza Martincova in straight sets, 6-1, 6-2, to advance to the quarterfinals.

There, the challenge was more complicated, as the match against Sofya Lansere (No. 455) lasted almost three hours, ending with a Zvonareva victory: 7-5, 2-6, 6-3. The third set was marked by constant breaks (seven of the nine games were breaks), and the veteran had trouble closing out the win in the final game, which she managed only after 24 points were played.

This Sunday, she will face another young opponent: rising Croatian star Petra Marcinko, who turned 20 just three days ago. Marčinko was the former Junior World No. 1 and won the Australian Open Junior Grand Slam title in 2022. Furthermore, her campaign this week has already guaranteed her first appearance in the Top 100, reaching No. 97 in the live ranking (she could climb as high as No. 81 if she wins the title).

The former World No. 2 was also a standout doubles player two decades ago. She won three Major doubles titles throughout the years: US Open 2006 (with Nathalie Dechy), Australian Open 2016 (with Svetlana Kuznetsova), and US Open 2020 (with Laura Siegemund). She also added mixed doubles titles at the 2004 US Open with Bob Bryan and Wimbledon 2006 with Andy Ram.

This week, Zvonareva also entered the doubles draw at the last minute, partnering with compatriot Rada Zolotareva, after securing a spot as alternates. On their path, they defeated the teams of Panshina/Zelinskaya (WC), Appleton/Thombare (2nd seeds), and Bhamidipaty/Raina (WC).

This Sunday, they will face Thailand's Mananchaya Sawangkaew and China's Xinyu Gao in the title match.