Safina Opens Up About Life After Retirement and Her New Partnership with Shnaider: "I’ve Been Through a Lot That I’ve Never Shared Publicly"

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Jules Hypolite

le 28/04/2025 à 20h48

2 min to read

Madrid Safina Shnaider

Dinara Safina, former world No. 1, is back on the tour as the new coach of Diana Shnaider. The two began their collaboration at the start of the clay season, and the partnership is already bearing fruit—Shnaider has reached the Round of 16 in Madrid, where she will face Iga Swiatek.

In an interview with the WTA website, Safina spoke about the struggles she faced after retiring at just 25 years old:

"I’ve been through a lot that I’ve never shared publicly. I gained a lot of weight and struggled with eating disorders. I suffered from it for quite a long time.

There were many ups and downs. I also had to deal with depression. I couldn’t find myself. But little by little, I managed to pull through."

A three-time Grand Slam finalist (Roland Garros 2008 and 2009, Australian Open 2009), the Russian also shared her thoughts on her new protégée:

"They (Shnaider and her team) asked me to join them in Dubai. Then came the American swing, but I don’t have a visa. So I said, ‘I can be there for the clay season.’ I discussed it with my family. For me, the timing couldn’t have been better.

I don’t know if my presence helps Diana or not. Sometimes I feel like it does, and other times, not so much. There are moments when she listens and others when she doesn’t. She’s not a kid anymore! Let’s be honest. She’s an adult. She needs to grow up and become a woman to be a little more disciplined."