Diana Shnaider, the rising star of women’s tennis, has capped off a remarkable season with her fourth title of 2024 in Hong Kong. After a grueling schedule that saw her compete in 29 WTA tournaments, Shnaider is finally enjoying a well-deserved break.
During her time in Hong Kong, Shnaider visited The Peak, the tallest hill in western Hong Kong, and Ocean Park, the second-largest theme park in the city. She was accompanied by her parents and younger brother, who is also a promising junior tennis player.
Shnaider’s victory in Hong Kong added to her impressive title haul this season, which also includes wins in Hua Hin, Budapest, and Bad Homburg. She dethroned defending champion Leylah Fernandez in the semifinals and No. 2 seed Katie Boulter in the final, losing just three games in the process.
The 20-year-old’s success has seen her rise to the cusp of the Top 10 in the WTA rankings. She is assured of ending the season as the highest-ranked player among those who have played the most tournaments in the Top 75.
Shnaider’s remarkable season has seen her tied with Aryna Sabalenka, the year-end world No. 1, for the most titles won on tour this year. Only Iga Swiatek, with five titles, has won more.
“It’s nice to be in that company,” Shnaider said. “I will definitely push harder to be on the same stage as them, to win more tournaments and at even higher categories.”
Despite her success, Shnaider remains grounded and recognizes the challenges that lie ahead. “Next year, everyone will be getting ready, knowing my game,” she said. “But it’s important for me to play against the best in the world. Even if there are a lot of losses, I’ll be as positive as possible, just keep building my game, my mentality, my physical strength.”
Shnaider’s determination and work ethic are evident in her impressive record. She has compiled a 54-22 main-draw record in WTA events this season, a testament to her consistency and ability to perform under pressure.
As she looks ahead to the future, Shnaider is confident in her ability to continue improving and reaching the highest levels of the sport. “There are a lot of things I can improve and achieve to be, say, a Top 10 player,” she said. “It’s not a rush, I’ll have to be patient.”
