'I knew I could compete'

Sitting down with rolandgarros.com after the biggest win of her career, the Ukrainian declares: “Nothing is impossible! But if someone told me I’d be in this position when I was a coach, I’d definitely be surprised.”

While we chat, her phone is vibrating constantly with incoming messages. Starodubtseva isn’t going to swipe, she wants to “chill and take in the moment” without distractions.

Why is the phone pinging? Well, the world No.55 served up an almighty shock on Wednesday. She was previously 0-6 in matches against top 10 opponents, but reached an inspired level of play to dismiss No.2 seed Elena Rybakina 3-6, 6-1, 7-6[10-4] on Court Suzanne-Lenglen.

“I feel like having my Charleston run under my belt has helped me a lot today because I knew I could compete, I knew I could win this match,” said the 26-year-old, who reached a maiden WTA final at that US clay event in April.

“Honestly, it’s hard to describe. I’m super happy. Elena is one of the top players, has had an incredible year.

“I expected her to come back. You can’t be thinking it’s ever going to be easy, even at 3-0 up [in the decider], I had a feeling it wasn’t going to be easy. That was so!

“It was a very hard third set, a very tough match, but I got it done. I’m very proud I could do this today, it took a lot of mental and physical strength.”

In need of funding, 17-year-old Starodubtseva and her family decided the college tennis path in the United States was the route to take.

Four years studying intercultural communication, followed by a masters in sport management at Old Dominion University, Virginia, provided the base for the Ukrainian to develop as a player and a person.

The intriguing twist follows her graduation from Old Dominion in 2022. In search of financial support and a plan, she spent a year coaching at Westchester Country Club in a suburb of New York. 

She eventually hit a crossroads, having immediate success at the professional level in February 2023.

“I’m very good at being patient but it was tough, I wasn’t sure if I was ever going to make it,” admitted Starodubtseva, who faces China’s Wang Xiyu next in Paris. “Initially I was coaching everyone, all ages, clinics, and then my training at the same time. It was all taking a lot of time, 10 hours a day sometimes, it was so exhausting.

“I won the second tournament I played [in Texas, USA] and I had to make a decision. I made the qualies of the US Open within half a year and that gave me the belief to get going.”

The 26-year-old met her current coach and boyfriend Pearse Dolan at college. The duo are a formidable partnership as Starodubtseva made Roland-Garros qualifying in 2024, and last year she also made the main draw third round in Paris, a feat matched on Wednesday.

There is a lifetime reward on offer for further progress by the world No.55.

“My boyfriend told me if I break through top 50, he'll propose,” she told reporters in Paris. "He's getting scared now, I'm getting close!" 

Unfortunately, the ongoing conflict in Ukraine has disrupted Starodubtseva’s family life.

“I really miss home. I haven’t been home for four years. It’s hard because I miss everyone and I don’t think I’ll ever see my home again. It’s in territory I can’t go back to, my home is ruined in a way,” added the 26-year-old. 


“It’s hard, but at the same time, I’m just so thankful my parents, friends, my family are all healthy. I’m just trying to have a good life.”

What a positive spin on such tragic circumstances, the “nothing is impossible” mantra appears to inspire a plethora of Ukrainian players chalking up statement wins on tour. Recent WTA 1000 champions Marta Kostyuk and Elina Svitolina are a beacon of hope for their compatriots on tour.

“I think it’s really cool and inspiring to see so many Ukrainians playing finals, videos in the media with Marta winning a tournament, Elina winning a tournament, I made a final, it feels like we are constantly there,” said Starodubtseva with joy.

“It’s so cool we can represent the country like this. Us winning reminds everyone what is going on back at our home too.

“Because of this I’m so proud I can keep pushing. I find a new goal and I keep achieving them. I just want to keep pushing for greater achievements.

“I think the most important thing for me is to reach my potential, then we’ll see what I can achieve.”