Welcome to the world of best tennis players in Latvia! This land of the Baltic Sea has a great history and tradition in the sport of tennis. Latvia has produced some of the most talented and successful tennis players in the world.
From the legendary Martina Navratilova to the rising stars of the sport, such as Jelena Ostapenko, Latvia has a proud legacy of success in the sport. In this article, we will take a look at some of the best tennis players from Latvia and their achievements in the sport.
1. Jeļena Ostapenko
Jeļena Ostapenko, better known as Aļona Ostapenko, is a Latvian professional tennis player. She has had a very successful career, achieving a career-high WTA ranking of world No. 5 in singles on 19 March 2018, and world No. 7 in doubles on 12 September 2022.
This puts her among the top tennis players in the world, and she has achieved this in a relatively short amount of time. Ostapenko has been playing professional tennis since she was a teenager.
She has had a lot of success in the Grand Slam tournaments, winning the French Open in 2017 and the US Open in 2020. She has also had success in the WTA Tour, reaching the semifinals of the US Open and the final of the WTA Finals in 2020.
She has also had success in doubles, reaching the quarterfinals of the US Open in 2020 and the finals of the WTA Finals in 2021. Overall, Ostapenko is a very talented and successful tennis player.
She has been able to achieve a lot of success in a short period of time, and her career-high rankings demonstrate that. She has the potential to become one of the best players in the world, and it will be interesting to see how she does in the future.
2. Ernests Gulbis
Ernests Gulbis is a Latvian professional tennis player who is best known for his success on the ATP Tour. He has achieved a number of notable successes over his career, including winning his first doubles title in 2008 at the U.S. Men’s Clay Court Championships.
His doubles partner for the tournament was Rainer Schüttler, and together they were able to take the title. Two years later, in 2010, Gulbis achieved his first singles title on the ATP Tour when he won the Delray Beach tournament.
He defeated Ivo Karlović in the final, and the win cemented his reputation as a formidable player on the tour. Since then, Gulbis has gone on to win many more titles, including the 2014 BMW Open, the 2014 Mercedes Cup, and the 2015 Aegon International.
He has established himself as one of the top Latvian players in the world and is sure to continue to be a force on the ATP Tour for years to come.
3. Līga Dekmeijere
Līga Dekmeijere is a professional Latvian tennis player who has achieved remarkable success in her career. On the WTA Tour, she has managed to win one doubles title and has gone on to win an impressive 20 doubles titles on the ITF Women’s Circuit.
On August 26, 2002, she reached her highest singles ranking of number 287 in the world, an incredible achievement for any tennis player. Moreover, on April 5, 2010, she peaked at number 54 in the doubles rankings, demonstrating her strength and talent in the sport.
Dekmeijere’s impressive career has seen her achieve notable success at both singles and doubles tournaments.
Her ability to work hard and strive for success has allowed her to reach impressive heights on the world stage, and her achievements are a testament to her dedication and passion for the sport.
4. Anastasija Sevastova
Anastasija Sevastova is a Latvian professional tennis player who has been inactive since October 2018. She achieved her highest career singles ranking of world No. 11 in October 2018, and her success was rewarded with a first Premier Mandatory final appearance at the China Open.
This historic achievement made her the first Latvian woman to reach a Premier Mandatory final and the first Latvian player since Ernests Gulbis in 2014 to make the final of an ATP/WTA event. Before this success, Sevastova had already established herself as one of the top players in the world.
She had previously reached the quarterfinals of the US Open in 2017, as well as the fourth round of the French Open and Australian Open in the same year. Additionally, she had managed to reach the semifinals of the WTA Premier tournaments in Auckland and St.
Petersburg in 2017 and 2018. Sevastova has also proven herself in doubles, reaching the semifinals of the WTA Premier tournaments in St. Petersburg and Sydney in 2018. In 2017, she achieved a career-high doubles ranking of world No.
32 after winning the WTA Premier event in Charleston. Overall, Anastasija Sevastova is an extremely talented and experienced tennis player. Before her hiatus, she was one of the top players in the world and had achieved numerous successes on the WTA Tour.
Her career-high singles ranking of world No. 11 is a testament to her hard work and determination.
5. Diāna Marcinkēviča
Diāna Marcinkēviča is a professional tennis player from Latvia. She has achieved great success in her career, having won seven singles titles and 29 doubles titles on the ITF Women’s Circuit. On April 28th 2014, she reached her highest ranking to date, becoming world No.
196 in singles play. This was followed by her peak doubles ranking of No. 146 in the WTA rankings on May 26th 2014. Marcinkēviča has proven to be a formidable opponent on the court, having achieved a number of impressive wins.
She is a consistent player who is always looking to improve her game, and her impressive rankings affirm her hard work and dedication. As a result, Marcinkēviča is an inspiring figure for aspiring tennis players in her native Latvia, and around the world.
6. Deniss Pavlovs
Deniss Pavlovs is a former professional tennis player from Latvia. He competed on the ATP Challenger Tour, which is the second-highest level of men’s professional tennis behind the ATP Tour.
On July 20, 2009, Pavlovs achieved his highest singles ATP ranking of 263rd in the world. His highest doubles ranking was 155th, which he reached on September 23, 2009.
Throughout his career, Pavlovs was known for his hard court prowess and often posted impressive results at tournaments in Europe.
His career highlights include reaching the quarterfinals of the 2009 Challenger Open Castilla y Leon in Spain, and the quarterfinals of the 2009 Sparkassen Open in Germany. Despite his success, Pavlov was never able to break into the top 200 in either singles or doubles.
Nonetheless, he will always be remembered for his hard work, dedication, and commitment to the sport of tennis.
7. Daniela Vismane
Daniela Adrija Vismane is an accomplished tennis player hailing from Latvia. She is part of the Latvia Fed Cup team, a prestigious tennis competition where she has been able to showcase her talents.
On the ITF Circuit, Vismane has had great success, winning three singles titles and five doubles titles.
Her impressive performance on the courts has earned her some impressive rankings from the Women’s Tennis Association, where she currently holds a career-high ranking of 228 in singles, and 208 in doubles.
This makes Vismane one of the top tennis players in Latvia, and a force to be reckoned with on international courts.
8. Larisa Neiland
Larisa Savchenko-Neiland is an impressive athlete who has had a remarkable career. She is a retired tennis player who has represented three different countries: the Soviet Union, Ukraine, and Latvia.
During her time as a professional player, Larisa became a world number one-ranked doubles player, and she went on to win an impressive six Grand Slam titles. Two of these titles were in women’s doubles, and four were in mixed doubles.
In addition to her championships, Larisa also won two singles titles and 63 doubles titles on the WTA Tour. Her success speaks volumes to her dedication and ability as a tennis player, and she is truly an inspiration to many.
9. Darja Semenistaja
Darja Semeņistaja is an incredible Latvian tennis player. She has achieved remarkable accomplishments throughout her career, highlighted by having a career-high WTA ranking of 149 in singles and 210 in doubles.
In 2021, she has been particularly impressive, having won the most singles trophies on the ITF Women’s World Tour, claiming a total of seven titles.
This is a remarkable achievement and a testament to her skill and determination. Semeņistaja has become one of the top players in the world in a short amount of time. She has been able to consistently compete at a high level and has a strong desire to always improve her game.
She has been able to adapt to the ever-changing conditions of the game, allowing her to succeed in any situation. Semeņistaja’s impressive success in 2021 is the result of hard work and dedication. She has worked tirelessly to improve her game, both on and off the court.
She has also used her knowledge of the game to her advantage, allowing her to strategically adjust her play depending on the situation.
This has enabled her to stay one step ahead of her opponents, giving her a winning edge. Darja Semeņistaja’s accomplishments in 2021 are a testament to her skill, determination, and dedication.
She has proven to be one of the top players in the world and is sure to continue to be a force in the world of tennis for years to come.
10. Irina Kuzmina-Rimša
Irina Kuzmina-Rimša is a retired Latvian tennis player who has achieved a great deal during her career. She has won two singles titles and eight doubles titles on the ITF Circuit, an impressive feat for any tennis player.
On 13 October 2008, she achieved her best singles ranking of world No. 307, showing her ability to compete with some of the best players in the world. Additionally, on 13 July 2009, she peaked at No. 193 in the WTA doubles rankings, proving her prowess in the doubles game.
Through her hard work and dedication, she was able to have a successful career in tennis and her accomplishments will be remembered for years to come.
11. Kārlis Lejnieks
Kārlis Lejnieks is a retired Latvian tennis player who has made an impressive career for himself. During his career, Lejnieks won one Future doubles title and had one runner-up in singles. He made his ATP debut in 2008 at St.
Petersburg Open, where he had a memorable victory against Russian Alexandre Kudryavtsev in the first round. Now that Lejnieks has retired, he has shifted his focus to coaching.
He is dedicated to helping others improve their tennis skills and reach the level of success he achieved during his career. Lejnieks is using his knowledge and experience to guide the next generation of tennis players and help them reach their goals.
He is truly a role model for all aspiring tennis players.
12. Diāna Bukājeva
Diāna Bukājeva is a former Latvian professional tennis player with an impressive win-loss record of 5-0 when it comes to international competitions. She represented her country in the Fed Cup tournaments in Mauritius and Armenia in 2007 and 2008 respectively.
Through her efforts, the team was able to get promoted to Group II of the 2009 Fed Cup Europe/Africa Zone. This accomplishment speaks volumes about Bukājeva’s skill and dedication to the game.
In her Fed Cup tournaments in Mauritius and Armenia, Bukājeva was able to win all of her 5 matches and therefore, her team was able to get promoted.
This is a huge achievement, especially since the Fed Cup is a team-based competition that requires a lot of coordination and teamwork. Bukājeva’s successful streak in the competition highlights her ability to play under pressure and to adapt to different game styles.
In addition to her success in the Fed Cup, Bukājeva had a successful career in tennis. She was the runner-up in the 2010 Baltic Open and won the Latvian National Championship in 2008. She was also ranked number one in the Latvian rankings for several years.
As such, it is clear that Bukājeva was a talented player who was able to compete at a high level. Diāna Bukājeva is a former Latvian tennis player who left a lasting impression on the game.
Her 5-0 record in Fed Cup competition and her success in other tournaments is a testament to her skill and dedication. She was able to help her team get promoted to Group II of the 2009 Fed Cup Europe/Africa Zone and her talent and hard work will always be remembered.
13. Andis Juška
Andis Juška is a well-known tennis coach and former professional player from Latvia. He achieved his highest singles ranking of world No. 226 in October 2009, making him the second-highest ATP-ranked Latvian tennis player for several years.
As a player, Juška was a regular competitor on the ATP World Tour between 2003 and 2011, with his career highlights including wins over former top-50 players such as Dmitry Tursunov and Gilles Müller. Juška has since retired from professional tennis and now works as a full-time coach.
He has worked with a number of promising Latvian players including Ernests Gulbis, Jelena Ostapenko, and Anastasija Sevastova.
Juška has also represented Latvia in international competitions including the Davis Cup and the Fed Cup. Overall, Andis Juška has had a successful career as both a player and a coach.
His experience and knowledge of the game has helped many young Latvian players reach their potential and compete at the highest level.
14. Jānis Skroderis
Janis Skroderis is a Latvian former professional tennis player who was known for playing mainly on the ITF Futures tournaments. He had the opportunity to face off against the future world number one tennis player, Novak Djokovic, at the 2004 Davis Cup.
At the time, Djokovic was only sixteen years old. Unfortunately, Skroderis was not able to secure a win, losing to Djokovic with a final score of 2–6, 2–6.
This match was significant in Djokovic’s career as it was his first Davis Cup match, and it was a clear indication of his potential as a world-class player.
Although Djokovic won the match, Skroderis can be proud of the fact that he was able to put up a fight against a future world number one player.
This match was also a testament to Skroderis’ skill as a tennis player, as he was able to compete with a highly talented player and put up a good fight.
15. Karlis Ozolins
Kārlis Ozoliņš is a professional Latvian tennis player with an impressive career. He achieved his highest ATP singles ranking of World No. 987 on 27 February 2021, making him one of the most successful tennis players in Latvia.
Additionally, Ozoliņš had a career-high ITF junior combined ranking of number 6 in the world achieved on 3 February 2020. This is an incredible achievement, showing his dedication to the sport and his overall ability.
Ozoliņš is a great example of the potential that Latvian tennis players can achieve. He is a testament to the power of hard work and dedication, and a source of pride for the country.
16. Ģirts Dzelde
Ģirts Dzelde is a former professional tennis player from Latvia who is now the coach of the Latvian Davis Cup team. During his playing career, Dzelde achieved an impressive career-high singles ranking of World No. 273 in 1991 and a career-high doubles ranking of World No.
108 in 1993. This shows his dedication and commitment to the sport and his success as a professional tennis player. Dzelde’s impressive career-high rankings came in a period of intense competition in the sport.
In the early 1990s, tennis was becoming increasingly popular, with many of the world’s greatest players competing for the top rankings.
Dzelde’s success in this era of high-level competition is a testament to his skill as a tennis player. Today, Dzelde continues to stay involved in the sport as the coach of the Latvian Davis Cup team. His experience and knowledge of the game make him a valuable asset to the team.
With his guidance, the Latvian Davis Cup team has seen success in recent years, including a place in the quarterfinals in 2020. Ģirts Dzelde is a former professional tennis player from Latvia who achieved impressive career-high rankings during his playing career.
Today, he is the coach of the Latvian Davis Cup team, and his experience and knowledge of the game have helped the team to reach the quarterfinals in 2020.
His dedication to the sport of tennis is evident in his impressive career-high rankings and his continued involvement in the sport.
17. Mārtiņš Podžus
Mārtiņš Podžus is a Latvian tennis player who has achieved a career-high singles ranking of 418 as of February 17, 2020. He has also achieved a career-high doubles ranking of 390 as of August 19, 2019.
Since his professional career began, he has represented Latvia in the Davis Cup, where his win/loss record stands at 19-16. Podžus has demonstrated his skill in both singles and doubles, becoming a threat to any opponent he faces.
He has seen success in the Davis Cup, proving to be a reliable team member. As his rankings continue to rise, it’s likely that he will become a bigger name in the world of professional tennis.
18. Miķelis Lībietis
Miķelis Lībietis is a professional tennis player from Latvia. He competes in the ATP Challenger Tour and the ITF Men’s Circuit, two of the most prestigious tennis tournaments.
On 28 November 2016, he achieved his highest singles ranking of 352, and on 6 November 2017, he achieved his highest doubles ranking of 172. Lībietis has made a name for himself on the international tennis circuit, and he has worked hard to reach the heights he has achieved.
His accomplishments are a testament to his dedication and determination to succeed in the sport.
19. Artūrs Lazdiņš
Artūrs Lazdiņš is a professional tennis player from Latvia. He is currently ranked 1234 in singles and 923 in doubles, as of July 16th 2019 and August 5th 2019, respectively.
He has a winning record of three to two in the Davis Cup, which is an international tennis tournament held between teams from different countries. Lazdiņš is a relatively successful player, having achieved a career-high in both singles and doubles rankings earlier this year.
He also represents Latvia in the Davis Cup, which is a testament to his commitment to the sport. Despite not having a long professional career, Lazdiņš has already made significant contributions to the sport of tennis in Latvia.
20. Robert Strombachs
Robert Strombachs is a professional tennis player with a Latvian-German background. He has achieved the highest singles ranking at world number 390 on July 17, 2023 and the highest doubles ranking at number 383 on August 19, 2019.
Strombachs is also a member of the Latvian Davis Cup team, where he has a win/loss record of 7-6. Strombachs has been playing professionally for a few years now and has seen a steady increase in his ranks in both singles and doubles.
He has worked hard to reach the world number 390 and 383 rankings and is a great example of a player that has put in the effort to reach the top. Strombachs is also committed to representing his home country of Latvia at the Davis Cup.
He has a positive record of seven wins and six losses, showing that he is a competitive and reliable player.
His presence on the team has been an asset and he strives to bring his best to the court when he plays for his country. Robert Strombachs is an inspiring tennis player who has achieved great success in singles and doubles, as well as representing his country with pride.
His commitment to the sport and determination to reach the highest levels of professional tennis are admirable and worthy of admiration.
21. Mārtiņš Rocēns
Mārtiņš Rocēns is a professional tennis player from Latvia. He has achieved a career-high ATP singles ranking of 1482 on August 8th, 2022, and an ATP doubles ranking of 1367 on August 15th, 2022.
Rocēns also competes in the Davis Cup on behalf of Latvia, where his win/loss record currently stands at 2-1. Rocēns is a relatively new player on the international tennis scene but has already made achievements that many other players aspire to.
His career-high ATP singles ranking of 1482 is a testament to the hard work and dedication he puts into his career.
Similarly, his doubles ranking of 1367 proves that he is capable of competing in both singles and doubles matches. Rocēns’ record of 2-1 in the Davis Cup is also impressive.
His ability to compete at a high level on the international stage shows that he has the potential to make an impact in the future. With the right training and dedication, Rocēns could potentially become one of the best players in the world.
22. Trīna Šlapeka
Trīna Šlapeka is a retired Latvian tennis player who had a successful career despite never winning a professional ITF tournament. On 28 May 2007, she achieved her highest singles ranking of world number 1400.
This was a significant milestone as she had worked hard to progress from her initial ranking.
Additionally, on 23 April 2007, Šlapeka reached the peak of her doubles career by reaching world number 948 in the rankings.Šlapeka was regarded as a talented player by her peers and coaches, and this is evidenced by her rise through the rankings.
Her best singles ranking was a testament to her hard work and dedication to the sport.
Furthermore, her best doubles ranking was an incredible feat for any professional tennis player. Trīna Šlapeka’s career highlights her skill, determination, and commitment to the sport of tennis.
Even though she never won a professional ITF tournament, her ranking accomplishments demonstrate her impressive capabilities. She is an inspiration to other tennis players and a reminder that hard work and dedication can pay off in the end.
23. Patricija Spaka
Patrīcija Špaka is a professional tennis player hailing from Latvia. She began competing in professional tournaments in 2013 and has since established herself as a formidable force in the sport.
She has a career-high ranking of 481 in the WTA singles rankings, and she is the current Latvian national champion in doubles.
She has also achieved a high rank of 135 in the ITF Women’s Circuit rankings. Patrīcija Špaka has competed in numerous tournaments around the world over the years. She has participated in main-draw Grand Slams, including the Australian Open, French Open, and US Open.
She has also competed in the ITF Women’s Circuit, where she reached the semifinals of the 2019 ITF tournament in Novi Sad, Serbia.
In addition, she has competed in the Fed Cup, representing Latvia in a total of four ties. Off the court, Patrīcija Špaka is an avid traveler, often visiting other countries to gain new experiences and expand her knowledge.
She is also passionate about giving back to her community and is an active participant in various charitable organizations. Overall, Patrīcija Špaka is an inspiring and accomplished professional tennis player who has achieved great success in her career.
She is a role model for aspiring tennis players and has showcased her talent on the court time and time again. She is a true inspiration for all athletes and continues to push herself to reach new heights.
24. Armand Strombach
Armand Strombach is a former professional tennis player from Latvia. He was an accomplished player in his early years, having won the Soviet youth championship.
In 1993, Strombach was part of the first-ever Davis Cup team of Latvia and he played with the team until 1996, achieving a total of eight wins in singles and four in doubles during his time with the team. Strombach was a key figure in the development of tennis in Latvia, having been part of the country’s first-ever Davis Cup team.
He was a dedicated player, pushing himself to achieve success and make his country proud. His consistent hard work paid off and his eight singles wins and four doubles wins demonstrated his skill and determination as a tennis player.
Strombach’s career has been an inspiration to many aspiring tennis players in the country, showing them the importance of hard work and dedication. He set the bar high for future players, and his legacy will continue to be admired for years to come.
25. Kamilla Bartone
Kamilla Bartone is a professional Latvian tennis player who has achieved great success in her young career. She has a career-high ITF junior combined ranking of 6, which she achieved in October 2019.
This impressive feat was followed by even greater success when she won the US Open in girls’ doubles along with her partner Oksana Selekhmeteva.
This was also the same year that saw Bartone make her WTA Tour main-draw debut at the 2019 Baltic Open in the doubles draw, where she partnered Ksenia Aleshina.
She has since gone on to become one of the most successful Latvian tennis players in recent years, and her accomplishments are an inspiration to any aspiring junior players.
26. Zaiga Jansone
Zaiga Jansone-Ivanova is a highly accomplished former Soviet Latvian tennis player and tennis coach. She was an incredibly successful competitor during her career, winning the Soviet championship in women’s doubles five times.
Her accomplishments did not stop there, as she also won the 1973 Summer Universiade championship in women’s doubles and an exhibition tennis event at the 1968 Olympics in mixed doubles. Not only was she successful as a player, but she also achieved a great deal as a coach.
After her retirement from playing, she coached a number of athletes who went on to have successful careers, including the former world number one tennis player, Marat Safin. It is clear that Zaiga Jansone-Ivanova has had a huge impact on the sport of tennis.
Her accomplishments as a player and coach demonstrate her dedication and passion for the sport. Her legacy will live on through the generations of athletes she has coached and inspired.
Conclusion
Latvia has produced some of the best tennis players in the world. From the likes of Ernests Gulbis, Anastasija Sevastova and Jelena Ostapenko, Latvia’s tennis stars have made a mark on the international stage.
With a strong youth system, the next generation of Latvian tennis stars is sure to make their presence felt in the future.
