Estonia is a small nation in Northern Europe that has produced some of the world’s best tennis players. Over the years, Estonia has had a number of world-class players, both male and female, who have achieved success on the ATP and WTA Tours.
From Jürgen Zopp and Kaia Kanepi to Anett Kontaveit and Jelena Ostapenko, Estonian players have shown their skill and determination time and time again.
In this article, we will take a look at some of the best tennis players in Estonia, their achievements, and their place in the history of Estonian tennis.
1. Anett Kontaveit
Anett Kontaveit is an Estonian former professional tennis player who had a successful career. She was regarded as one of the best players in the world, and in June 2022, she became the highest-ranked Estonian tennis player in history after reaching a world ranking of No.
2 by the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA). This was an impressive and historic achievement, as it was the first time an Estonian tennis player had reached this level of success.
Kontaveit was widely praised for her hard work and dedication to the sport, and she is remembered for her accomplishments.
Her success has been a source of inspiration to many aspiring tennis players in Estonia and beyond, and her legacy will continue to live on for many years to come.
2. Kaia Kanepi
Kaia Kanepi is a professional tennis player from Estonia. She has achieved a great deal of success in her career, reaching a career-high ranking of No. 15 in the world on August 20, 2012.
She has also won four singles titles on the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Tour. Kanepi has been playing on the professional tennis circuit since 2001, winning her first match at the Estonian Championships.
She has since gone on to compete in numerous tournaments around the world, taking part in the French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open.
She has had some great victories, including wins over former world number one players such as Kim Clijsters, Venus Williams, and Maria Sharapova. Kanepi has been an incredibly consistent player in the last few years, and her hard work and dedication has paid off.
In 2012, she reached her highest ranking ever, reaching the world No. 15 spot. She also had a successful year on the WTA Tour, winning four singles titles.
This included victories at the Hobart International and the Brussels Open. Overall, Kaia Kanepi has had a very successful career, and her hard work and dedication has certainly paid off. She has reached the world No. 15 ranking and has won four singles titles on the WTA Tour.
She is an inspiration to aspiring tennis players around the world and is a great example of what can be achieved with hard work and dedication.
3. Jürgen Zopp
Jürgen Zopp is an Estonian tennis player who has achieved a great deal of success in his career. He is the most successful Estonian tennis player of all time, having reached a career-high singles ranking of World No. 71 in 2012.
This ranking made him the highest ranked Estonian male tennis player in history. His success on the court has been impressive and his accomplishments are worth noting.
He has won six singles titles and two doubles titles in his career, including the 2019 Tallinn Challenger and the 2017 Umag Challenger.
He has also represented Estonia at Davis Cup and Fed Cup events, reaching the final of the Davis Cup in 2011. Zopp’s career has spanned over two decades, and he has seen successes both on the ATP tour and in Challenger events.
He has faced some of the greatest tennis players in the world, including Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray.
He has been able to compete and hold his own against such great players, which speaks to his skill and determination. Overall, Jürgen Zopp is an amazing tennis player who has achieved a great deal of success in the sport.
His accomplishments make him an inspiration to all Estonian athletes, and his legacy will live on in the sport of tennis.
4. Maret Ani
Maret Ani was a renowned tennis player from Estonia who had a successful career before eventually retiring. She was the highest-ranked player in Estonia at the beginning of 2006 but was eventually displaced by Kaia Kanepi.
Before taking up tennis at the age of 14, Ani had already achieved success in basketball, winning the junior championship. Tennis was her main focus after that point and she quickly began to excel in the sport.
Her dedication to the game enabled her to reach a high level of skill and eventually become the leading tennis player in Estonia. Ani’s success in tennis was a testament to her determination and dedication to the sport.
5. Aita Põldma
Aita Põldma is a prominent figure in Estonian tennis. She was born in Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, and completed her education at the Tallinn Pedagogical Institute’s Institute of Physical Education in 1971.
From a very young age, Aita was passionate about tennis, and was lucky enough to have her father, Evald Kree, to guide her in her pursuit of the sport. He coached her from 1959, and his guidance and expertise were instrumental in her eventual success.
Aita’s career has spanned decades and she has achieved numerous accomplishments as a player, as well as a coach. She has represented her country in numerous international competitions, showcasing her skill and determination.
As a coach, she has trained and guided many successful players, helping them to reach their full potential. Her contributions to Estonian tennis have been immense and her legacy lives on.
6. Maileen Nuudi
Maileen Nuudi is a professional tennis player from Estonia. She is currently playing for the Estonia Fed Cup team and has been doing so since July 2023, where her win/loss record has been 13–10.
This record is a testament to her skill and dedication as a tennis player, and her commitment to the Estonia Fed Cup team is admirable. Nuudi is a great example of a successful Estonian athlete, and her impressive record speaks for itself.
She is an inspiration to all young athletes from Estonia who are looking to pursue a career in professional tennis.
7. Elena Malõgina
Elena Malõgina is a professional tennis player from Estonia. She made her debut on the professional tour in 2016 and has since achieved a career-high ranking of world No. 236 in doubles and No. 347 in singles.
She has been successful in both singles and doubles, having won eight ITF doubles titles and three singles titles. Malõgina has been steadily improving her rankings since her professional debut and is well on her way to becoming one of the top players in the world.
She has already achieved impressive results on the ITF circuit and is likely to make further strides in the future. Her career-high rankings are a testament to her hard work and dedication, as well as her skill as a tennis player.
Malõgina has been a strong presence in the Estonian tennis scene and has been a great source of inspiration for upcoming players. She has shown that hard work and dedication can pay off and that success is achievable with a combination of skill and determination.
Her positive attitude and enthusiasm for the sport are a great example for aspiring players, and she continues to be an example of what is possible in the world of professional tennis.
8. Kenneth Raisma
Kenneth Raisma is a professional tennis player from Estonia. He has achieved a career-high ATP singles ranking of 676, which he achieved in May 2017. Additionally, he has achieved a career-high ATP doubles ranking of 720, which he achieved in January 2019.
Raisma has had a successful career, winning 1 ITF singles title and 5 ITF doubles titles. His impressive record is a testament to his hard work and dedication to the sport of tennis. Raisma’s career-high ATP rankings are evidence of the progress he has made in his career.
His singles ranking of 676 is an impressive feat, and his doubles ranking of 720 is even more impressive.
This shows that he has been able to perform consistently at a high level, even against higher-ranked opponents. Raisma’s impressive record is also evident in the number of titles he has won.
He has won 1 ITF singles title and 5 ITF doubles titles, proving his ability to compete in both singles and doubles. This success is a result of his hard work and dedication to the sport of tennis. Overall, Kenneth Raisma is a successful professional tennis player from Estonia.
He has achieved impressive results in his career, reaching a career-high ATP singles ranking of 676 and a career-high ATP doubles ranking of 720. Additionally, he has won 1 ITF singles title and 5 ITF doubles titles.
His success is a result of his hard work and dedication to the sport of tennis.
9. Vladimir Ivanov
Vladimir Ivanov is a professional tennis player from Estonia. He has had an illustrious career in the sport, reaching a career-high singles ranking of 310 on the ATP tour in July of 2015.
Additionally, Ivanov achieved an impressive doubles ranking of 408 on the ATP tour in December of 2018. Moreover, Ivanov has been successful in the ITF tournament circuit, having won 7 singles titles and 15 doubles titles.
Ivanov has had a successful career that has spanned over several years. He has been able to reach a relatively high ranking on the ATP tour and has been able to win several titles on the ITF circuit. His success is a testament to his hard work and dedication to the sport.
Ivanov’s accomplishments show that he is a talented player and a great ambassador for the sport of tennis.
10. Siim Troost
Siim Troost is a professional tennis player from Estonia. He is currently ranked 1578 in the ATP singles rankings, which he achieved on August 23, 2021. Similarly, he has a career high doubles ranking of 1379, achieved on September 13, 2021.
Troost is also a winner of 1 ITF doubles title. He also has represented Estonia in the Davis Cup tournaments, where he has gotten a win-loss record of 0–1. Apart from his ATP and ITF rankings, Troost has also been making a name for himself in the Davis Cup.
He has represented his country in the tournament and has managed to put on impressive performances. Despite his record of 0–1, his presence in the tournament has been invaluable for Estonia. His dedication and passion for the sport have made him a valuable asset for the team.
Overall, Siim Troost is an accomplished tennis player from Estonia. His career high ATP singles and doubles rankings, as well as his ITF title, are a testament to his hard work and dedication to the sport. His presence in the Davis Cup tournaments is also an admirable feat.
He continues to be an inspiration for people all around the world and is surely an asset for the Estonian tennis team.
11. Daniil Glinka
Daniil Glinka is an Estonian tennis player. He is currently ranked 737 in singles and 639 in doubles by the ATP (Association of Tennis Professionals).
Glinka has also been involved in the Davis Cup, representing Estonia, where he has a win-loss record of 1-1. Glinka achieved his career-high singles ranking of 737 on October 17th, 2022. Similarly, his career-high doubles ranking of 639 was achieved on September 26th, 2022.
Both of these rankings are testament to Glinka’s skill and dedication to the sport of tennis. Glinka is a rising star in the tennis world and is sure to be one to watch in the coming years.
His competitive spirit and drive to succeed make him a formidable opponent and a great asset to the Estonian team. With his current rankings and Davis Cup record, Glinka is sure to make a name for himself in the coming years.
12. Kristjan Tamm
Kristjan Tamm is a professional tennis player from Estonia. He has achieved a career high ATP singles ranking of 625 on 21 December 2020 and a career high ATP doubles ranking of 694 on 31 May 2021. Tamm has also won two ITF titles during his career.
On top of his individual accomplishments, Tamm has also represented Estonia in the Davis Cup. He has had a great success in the Cup, having a win-loss record of 2-2. His remarkable achievements demonstrate his skill and dedication to the sport of tennis.
Tamm is a true inspiration for aspiring tennis players in Estonia and around the world.
13. Mattias Siimar
Mattias Siimar is an Estonian tennis player who has had a successful career. He achieved his highest ATP singles ranking of 1036 on 25 October 2021. He has represented Estonia in the Davis Cup, where his win-loss record stands at 5-6.
His identical twin brother, Kristofer Siimar, is also a professional tennis player. Mattias has been playing tennis since a young age, and his talent has been greatly appreciated by his home country.
He has been part of the Estonian national team since 2014, and his Davis Cup record speaks for itself. His determination and skill have helped him to reach the highest ranking of 1036, which he achieved in October 2021.
Siimar’s twin brother, Kristofer, is also a professional tennis player. He is currently ranked 842 in the ATP singles ranking, and the two brothers often play against each other in tournaments.
Although the two have similar playing styles, they have their own unique strategies that help them to stay ahead of the game. The Siimar brothers have been a great asset to Estonian tennis, and their success is something to be celebrated.
With their hard work and dedication, they have been able to reach the highest rankings and have inspired many other tennis players to strive for greatness.
14. Mait Künnap
Mait Künnap is a professional tennis player from Estonia. He has achieved a world ranking high of 705 on August 4, 2008, making him a highly respected player in the sport. His doubles ranking is even better, having reached a peak of 377 on July 4, 2005.
After his success as a tennis player, Matt Künnap now works as a tennis trainer at Pärnu Tennisehall. He is a great example of someone who has been able to reach a high level of success in the sport and then continue to pass on his knowledge and experience to others.
Künnap’s success as a tennis player shows that with hard work and dedication, anything is possible.
15. Jaak Põldma
Jaak Põldma is a professional tennis player from Estonia. He is highly regarded in his home country and is seen as an inspirational figure for aspiring tennis players.
Jaak has achieved considerable success in the sport, having won multiple titles at local and international level. He is also a member of the Estonia Davis Cup team, representing his homeland in the prestigious annual tournament.
Jaak is a highly experienced player and his skills have been a great asset to the Estonian team over the years. He is highly respected by his teammates and opponents alike, and his commitment to the sport is evident in his performances.
Jaak is an excellent ambassador for Estonian tennis and he continues to inspire younger players to pursue their dreams.
16. Rene Busch
Rene Busch is a highly accomplished tennis player and coach from Estonia. He was born in Tallinn and rose to fame when he achieved his career high ATP ranking of 793 in 1995. As a player, Rene was the all-time singles wins leader for Estonia’s Davis Cup team.
Today, Rene runs his own private tennis school in the city of his birth. “Rene Buschi Tennisekool” is a testament to his commitment to the sport of tennis and to the people of Estonia.
He is dedicated to developing the next generation of tennis players in his home country and continues to be heavily involved in the sport. Rene Busch is a true example of a successful and dedicated athlete, both on and off the court.
His achievements in tennis speak for themselves, and his commitment to the sport is evident through his ongoing involvement with the game. He is an inspiration to many and will surely continue to be a positive force in the world of tennis for years to come.
17. Eduard Hiiop
Eduard Hiiop was an Estonian figure skater and athlete who was active in the 1920s and 1930s.
He was chosen to be the flag bearer for Estonia in the 1928 Winter Olympics, and he also competed in the 1936 Olympics in pair skating, where he and his partner Helene Michelson placed 18th. Hiiop began his athletic career when he was living in Tartu in 1908.
He trained in figure skating, gymnastics, athletics, and cycling. He was passionate about sports and worked hard to perfect his skills in each of these disciplines.
He was a dedicated athlete, and his hard work paid off when he was chosen to represent his country in the Winter Olympics. Hiiop was an inspiration to many young athletes, and his legacy lives on in the Estonian sporting world.
He was a true champion and a shining example of what dedication and hard work can achieve. He will always be remembered as one of the nation’s greatest athletes.
18. Tiit Nuudi
Tiit Nuudi is a prominent Estonian politician and former tennis player. He has had a long and varied career in both the sport and political arenas.
Nuudi began his career playing tennis professionally from 1984 to 1988, where he achieved success in both singles and doubles tournaments. During this time, he also became an active member of the Estonian political scene.
In 1988, he was appointed as the Minister of the Environment, a position he held until 1990. During his tenure, he was responsible for implementing numerous environmental policies, such as the implementation of a nationwide system for the management of hazardous waste.
He also worked to improve air and water quality in Estonia and was involved in the development of the country’s first environmental law. After his tenure as Minister of the Environment, Nuudi continued to be involved in Estonian politics, though he has since retired from tennis.
He remains an important figure in the Estonian political landscape and is seen as a leader in the field of environmental protection.
19. Liina Suurvarik
Liina Suurvarik is an Estonian former professional tennis player who achieved great success in her career. She achieved her career-high WTA rankings of 576 in singles and 351 in doubles on 4 October 1999.
Suurvarik also played for Estonia at the Fed Cup, where she had an impressive win–loss record of 18–13. This demonstrates her prowess as a tennis player and her dedication to the team.
Suurvarik has demonstrated her commitment to the sport by competing at the highest level, attaining her highest rankings and making a positive contribution to the Fed Cup team.
She is an inspiration to other tennis players, showing them that it is possible to reach the pinnacle of the sport even coming from a small country. Her career is a testimony to the power of hard work, dedication and perseverance.
20. Saara Orav
Saara Orav is a professional tennis player from Estonia. She is currently enrolled at Rice University in the United States, where she is pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering.
Orav is also a member of the Estonian Fed Cup team and has a win-loss record of 3-4 in her matches. Since February 2020, she has only competed in two matches on the ITF circuit.
Orav is an ambitious athlete and student, and her dedication to both tennis and academics is inspiring. She is a role model to many young athletes, demonstrating that it is possible to pursue excellence in more than one area.
By combining her passion for tennis with her studies in mechanical engineering, she has created a unique and successful path for herself. Orav is a great example of how hard work and dedication can lead to success.
She has proven that it is possible to have a successful career in both sports and academics. With her determination and enthusiasm, she will certainly continue to achieve great things in the future.
21. Helen Laupa
Helen Laupa is a former professional tennis player from Estonia. She is a retired player who achieved her highest rank of 577 in the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) singles rankings on the 26th of January 1998.
Her highest rank in doubles was 403, which she achieved on the 23rd of December 1996. Laura was also a member of the Estonia Fed Cup team, and her win/loss record in that competition was 8 wins and 9 losses. Throughout her career, Laupa was a talented and consistent player.
She was able to maintain a high ranking in both singles and doubles, and her performance in the Fed Cup was impressive.
Her commitment and dedication to the sport of tennis allowed her to have a successful career. In addition to her professional career, Laupa is also remembered for her contributions to the tennis community in Estonia.
She was an active member of the tennis community in her home country, and she helped to nurture a love of the sport in both young and old. Her legacy of commitment and excellence lives on in the tennis culture of Estonia.
22. Erika Hendsel
Erika Hendsel is a retired professional tennis player from Estonia. She had a successful career, and on 7 October 2013, she achieved her highest singles ranking of World No. 1101. She was also a member of the Estonia Fed Cup team, where she had a win–loss record of 0–2.
This means that she won zero matches and lost two matches during her time with the team. During her career, Erika Hendsel was known for her strong backhand and her ability to stay focused during long rallies.
She was a consistent performer, and her remarkable skills on the court made her a fan favorite. Her dedication to the sport and her competitive nature made her a formidable opponent.
Despite her limited success in the Fed Cup, she was a respected player and an inspiration to many. Erika Hendsel was a professional tennis player for many years and she was able to reach a world ranking of 1101.
Even though she was unable to win any matches in the Fed Cup, she was still able to gain recognition for her hard work and determination. She was a great example of the power of perseverance and dedication, and she will continue to inspire many for years to come.
23. Valeria Gorlats
Valeria Gorlats is a professional tennis player from Estonia. She is currently ranked as the 883rd best singles player in the world as of October 2016. Additionally, she achieved her highest doubles ranking of 975th in September 2016.
In terms of representing her country at the Fed Cup, she has a 3-12 win-loss record. Valeria has been playing tennis for a number of years and has had some notable successes.
She has consistently been improving her rankings and is now ranked in the top 1000 players in both singles and doubles.
This is a remarkable achievement for a player from Estonia, and she is a great role model for aspiring tennis players in the country. Valeria has also been representing Estonia at the Fed Cup.
Although her win-loss record is not the best, she has still managed to gain experience in playing against some of the world’s best tennis players. This experience will prove invaluable in helping her to reach her goals of becoming a top-level professional tennis player.
Overall, Valeria Gorlats is an inspiring example of a tennis player from Estonia. She has achieved an impressive ranking in both singles and doubles and is continuing to work hard to break into the top 500 players in the world.
She has also been representing her country in the Fed Cup, gaining valuable experience, and inspiring other young players to follow in her footsteps.
24. Margit Rüütel
Margit Rüütel is a former professional tennis player from Estonia. She had a successful career, winning six singles titles and seven doubles titles on the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Circuit.
On January 12th, 2009, she achieved her highest singles ranking, reaching the world No. 158 position. On April 9th, 2007, she achieved her highest doubles ranking of No. 192.
Throughout her career, Margit was a consistent competitor, making it to the latter stages of tournaments and coming close to achieving even higher rankings. She was known for her strong forehand and her ability to adapt her game to different court surfaces.
Her success on the ITF circuit was a testament to her hard work and dedication to the sport. Margit Rüütel served as a great example to aspiring tennis players from Estonia and around the world.
She showed that with hard work and commitment, you can reach the highest levels in the sport. She is a true inspiration to many and her legacy will live on.
25. Anett Schutting
Anett Schutting is a former tennis player from Estonia who was highly successful in her career at both singles and doubles. On 25 October 2010, she achieved the highest singles ranking of her career at world No. 592.
Even more impressive was her peak doubles ranking, which was achieved on 18 July 2011, when she rose to No. 562. Apart from her personal achievements, Schutting also contributed to her country’s success in the Fed Cup competition.
She represented Estonia in the competition and had a 3–7 record, indicating a positive impact. This is a testament to her ability to perform under pressure and rise to the occasion, even when representing her country.
26. Tatjana Vorobjova
Tatjana Vorobjova is a former professional tennis player from Estonia. She had a successful career playing both singles and doubles tournaments around the world.
During her time representing Estonia in the Fed Cup, a women’s international team competition, she had a total win-loss record of 4-7. This record was comprised of both singles and doubles matches that she participated in.
Despite her relatively short international career, she achieved a notable level of success in her home country. She was the Estonian National Champion in singles in 2005, as well as in doubles in 2003 and 2004.
She was also a finalist in singles in 2004, and a semifinalist in doubles in 2005. Tatjana retired from professional tennis in 2008, but her legacy still lives on in the Estonian tennis community.
Her accomplishments have served as an inspiration for aspiring Estonian players, encouraging them to pursue their dreams of playing on the international stage. Her success in the Fed Cup shows that even players from small countries can make a splash on the world stage.
27. Tiiu Parmas
Tiiu Parmas was a successful Estonian tennis player. She was born in Tallinn and first competed under her maiden name Tiiu Kivi. In 1969, she married her coach Jaak Parmas, thus changing her last name to Parmas. Throughout her career, Parmas achieved great success.
In 1968, she became the Soviet national champion. Additionally, she made it to the third round of the singles tournament in the 1969 French Open. Her performance in this tournament was impressive and demonstrated her skill as a tennis player.
Parmas was a great player, and her accomplishments as a tennis player are still remembered today. She was a great example of the potential of Estonian athletes, and her legacy continues to live on.
28. Toomas Leius
Toomas Leius is a former tennis player from Estonia. He represented the Soviet Union in competitions during the period of time that the country was in existence. Leius was born in the Estonian capital, Tallinn, and began playing tennis at a young age.
He was successful in the sport and eventually rose to become one of the top tennis players in the Soviet Union. Leius competed in several tournaments throughout Europe, including the prestigious French Open.
He also made it to the fourth round of the US Open in 1984 and was the runner-up at the French Open in 1985.
He was the first Estonian to reach the semi-finals of a Grand Slam tournament and was the first player from the Soviet Union to reach the semi-finals of the US Open as well. Leius was an important representative of the Soviet Union during the Cold War era, and his presence on the international tennis scene was a symbol of the country’s strength.
He was an inspiration to many of his fellow Estonians, and his success on the court encouraged them to strive for excellence in their own lives. Leius retired from competitive tennis in 1989.
He since has become a successful tennis coach and has worked with many of the top players from Estonia and the Baltic states. Toomas Leius is remembered as one of the greatest tennis players to ever come out of the Soviet Union.
Conclusion
Estonian tennis players have proven to be some of the best in the world. With a wide range of talent and dedication to the game, Estonia has produced some of the best players in the world.
From the likes of Kaia Kanepi and Anett Kontaveit to the rising stars like Jürgen Zopp and Jelena Ostapenko, the Estonian tennis scene is one to watch.
With the continuing support of the Estonian Tennis Association and the dedication of the players, there is no doubt that Estonian tennis will continue to thrive and be a force to be reckoned with on the international stage.
