Yanina Wickmayer

Best WTA ranking 12

Country Belgium
Age 35 years
Size 1.82 m
Jeu Right-handed, two-handed backhand

Special feature: In 2009, she received the distinction of being the WTA's most improved player, rising from 71st to 16th in the world.

Profile & career

Yanina Wickmayer is one of the best Belgian players of her generation. She began her career on the professional circuit in 2004 and achieved her best Grand Slam result in 2009, reaching the semi-finals of the US Open aged just 19.

She was then coached by Patrick Mouratoglou (2010-2012), who took her to her highest ranking, 12th in 2010. Wickmayer, “an intelligent, determined girl, an incredible athlete” according to Mouratoglou.

Wickmayer remained a solid top 100 player until 2017. She was also coached by Nicolas Beuque, coach of the Mouratoglou Academy.

Wickmayer is continuing her tennis career after giving birth to a daughter in 2021. She made her return to the circuit in 2022. After suffering back problems in 2024, Yanina Wickmayer announced a career break in May. She will be back competing in 2025, with a protected ranking.

WICKMAYER'S TRACK RECORD

WTA career :

Yanina Wickmayer has played in 11 finals during her career on the WTA Tour, winning five of them. The Belgian won the Estoril tournament in 2009, her only title on clay. She also won in Linz in 2009, Auckland in 2010, Tokyo in 2015 and Washington in 2016.

Wickmayer has contested the Olympic Games twice, wearing the Belgium jersey in 2012 in London and in 2016 in Rio. Yanina Wickmayer has 22 wins against top 20 players, including five against top 10 players. The greatest victory of her career came at the Dubai Open in 2011 against world No 7 Li Na.

WICKMAYER &
THE GRAND SLAMS

The pinnacle of Wickmayer’s career came in the semi-finals of the 2009 US Open. She remembers the match as follows: “I was playing Denmark’s Caroline Wozniacki, who was world No 8 at the time. We were supposed to play during the day but the rain meant we had to wait for hours. We were able to get on court at 10pm. But not on Court Arthur-Ashe, where the semi-final between Serena Williams and Kim Clijsters took place. It’s not a great memory.

4th round in 2010 and 2015
3rd round in 2010, 2011 and 2016
4th round in 2011
Semi-finalist in 2009

Statistics & records

532 wins on the WTA Tour

Link with the Mouratoglou Academy

Yanina Wickmayer was coached by Patrick Mouratoglou between 2010 and 2012. The Belgian reached her highest world ranking (12th) with the French coach.

GAME & EQUIPMENT

Her game

The Belgian relies on a powerful game and rhythmic shots to trouble her opponents. Her height (1.82m) also enables her to serve very effectively, which is above average in women’s tennis.

Her equipment

The Belgian plays with a Babolat Pure Drive.