Dinara Safina

• Residence: Monte Carlo, Monaco
• DOB: April 27, 1986
• Birthplace: Moscow, Russia
• Height: 5' 11 1/2" (1.82 m)
• Weight: 154 1/2 lbs. (70 kg)
• Plays: Right-handed (two-handed backhand)

Biography

Safina is an aggressive baseliner. She likes to take the ball on the rise with full power on every shot. Her sharp angled forehand can set up a point that will be hit with a big and heavy forehand which will be converted to a winner. Her backhand can be flat and heavy and can be devastating on some of her games. She boasts a powerful first serve that sometimes lacks consistency in tight moments. Her primary weakness is her mental toughness, particularly in Grand Slam finals. Her emotions on court can adversely affect her game, though her mental toughness has considerably improved. She was also regarded as one of the most healthy and fit players on tour. Though an adequate lateral mover, she is less nimble moving forward and tends to avoid net play.

She has been the runner-up in three Grand Slam singles tournaments and won the women's doubles title at the 2007 US Open with Nathalie Dechy. She also won the Olympic silver medal in women's singles at the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. Her most recent achievement is runner-up in the 2009 French Open.

Career History