Coach Maria
ABOUT MARIA
Co-Founder & Director of Coaching – KL Tennis Academy Palm Beach
Born in Moscow, Russia, Maria discovered her love for tennis at the age of seven when her grandfather gifted her a racquet — a moment that would shape the rest of her life.
She trained at the Central Sport Club of the Army (CSKA), one of Russia’s most competitive tennis programs, where her dedication, discipline, and natural talent quickly set her apart. At just 17, Maria moved to Germany to pursue her dream of becoming a professional tennis player. That dream became reality in 1999, marking the start of a remarkable 15-year career on the WTA Tour. Competing in the main draws of all four Grand Slam tournaments, Maria achieved a career-high WTA ranking of World No. 48 in doubles and No. 210 in singles, earning a reputation as a fierce competitor with exceptional tactical awareness and consistency.
Her professional highlights include winning the WTA
Doubles Title in Portorož, Slovenia (2010), reaching three additional WTA finals (Marbella, Istanbul and the prestigious Kremlin Cup), and securing over 25 professional titles on the WTA and ITF circuits. Throughout her career, Maria competed against the best players in the world— and often defeated — some of the biggest names in women’s tennis, including Errani/Vinci, Ivanovic/Petkovic and Wozniacki/
Cirstea. Maria represented the prestigious Tennis clubs in Highest league competition across Switzerland, Germany, and France.
Recognized for her achievements and global impact on the sport, Maria was awarded a U.S. Green Card for Extraordinary Abilities in Tennis in 2013 — a distinction given to exceptional athletes who have reached the top of their field.
Since then, she has dedicated her experience and passion to coaching, mentoring, and developing players of all ages at KL Tennis Academy, which she co-founded in Palm Beach with fellow WTA professional Sophie Lefevre. As both Director of Coaching and Tennis Manager at the Tennis Club of Palm Beach, Maria oversees player development programs, tournament organization, and junior progression pathways.
A graduate of the Russian University of Physical Culture,
Sport and Tourism with a Bachelor’s Degree in Tennis, Maria also holds a Tennis Professor Diploma from the French Tennis Federation and is a USPTA Certified Professional. Her dual foundation in academic sport science and international playing experience allows her to deliver a precise, structured, and results-driven coaching approach.
Today, Maria is known not only for her technical expertise but for her calm leadership, deep professionalism, and ability to inspire. Whether working with a beginner or a nationally ranked player, she brings the same patience, attention to detail, and passion that defined her own career on tour.
“Tennis teaches more than competition — it builds confidence, focus, and resilience. My goal is to help every player experience the same joy and purpose every time they step on court.”