Arina Rodionova: The Oldest Woman to Crack the Top 100 in Tennis History
Australian tennis veteran Arina Rodionova has etched her name in the history books by becoming the oldest woman to break into the world's top 100 for the first time. The 34-year-old achieved this milestone at the Thailand Open in Hua Hin, staging a remarkable comeback against Chinese prospect Bai Zhuoxuan with a 3-6, 6-1, 6-0 victory to secure a quarterfinal spot.
Rodionova's triumph guarantees her a place in the top 100 when the next WTA rankings are released on Monday, achieving this feat at the age of 34 years and 52 days. This accomplishment marks the culmination of a remarkable late-career surge for the Melburnian, whose professional journey began two decades ago in Russia.
Her recent success comes amidst controversy, as Rodionova was denied a wild card for the Australian Open and was eliminated in the first round of qualifying, despite holding the position as the nation's number one-ranked player. Speaking candidly about her feelings about a personal vendetta, she stated, "The only regrets I have from today are that I gave Tennis Australia something to celebrate."
Ranked at 101, her strong performance in Hua Hin is set to elevate her provisionally to number 96. A tournament victory could propel Rodionova into the top 70, further solidifying her standing as the top-ranked Australian woman. Kim Birrell, the next-best-ranked Australian, currently holds the 124th position.
At the start of 2023, Rodionova was ranked 302 but experienced a resurgence by winning seven lower-level ITF singles titles after recovering from a serious wrist injury. Her latest achievement includes securing a spot in the second tour-level quarterfinal of her career, the first being seven years ago in Nanchang, China.
Rodionova's path to the top 100 involves overcoming formidable opponents, including a quarterfinal clash with second seed Zhu Lin, the world number 45. In a busy Friday schedule, she will also feature in the doubles semifinal alongside Chinese partner Yuan Yue, whom she defeated in the first round of the singles.
As Arina Rodionova continues her remarkable journey, her story serves as an inspiration for athletes worldwide, showcasing that determination, resilience, and skill can propel one to new heights, regardless of age or external challenges. Tennis enthusiasts eagerly await her further exploits on the court.
