17 years after Indian Wells title, Vera Zvonareva, 41, takes comeback “one day at a time”

In 2009, Vera Zvonareva won the BNP Paribas Open title in conditions that mirrored the former No. 2’s on-court persona: dramatic, unpredictable, and incredibly tough to beat.

Hitting through blustery conditions that verged on biblical, Zvonareva outlasted Ana Ivanovic over two sets to win the biggest title of her career. A year later, she reached back-to-back Grand Slam finals at Wimbledon and the US Open to peak just below the top of the WTA rankings. In the last decade, she has become even more formidable on the doubles court, winning two major titles with a maternity break in between.

After sitting out the last 18 months to heal an injured shoulder—one that required two surgeries—Zvonareva resurfaced at the end of last season looking ready to take on both disciplines all over again, reaching the Australian Open doubles semifinals and winning her first main-draw WTA singles match since October 2023 at the Qatar TotalEnergies Open. The 41-year-old, who next returns to the site of her career pinnacle at the BNP Paribas Open, caught up with me after her Doha win over Peyton Stearns, talking the keys to her comeback and how the game has changed since she turned pro in back at the dawn of the new millennium.

This interview has been lightly edited for clarity.

TENNIS.COM: It’s so cool to see you and so great to have you back. What did you take away from the first main-draw singles win of your comeback?

VERA ZVONAREVA: Look, I didn’t start the match well, but I felt like she was playing a different game from my previous opponents. But I tried my best and knew I could fight through this match, that I could challenge her more. In the end, it worked out my way. I’ve been playing many years on tour and I know that, as long as I’m trying my best on the court, I can always give myself a chance.

TENNIS.COM: Does a main-draw win carry any extra significance for you at this stage of your career?

VERA ZVONAREVA: You know, I played so many matches in my career, so I don’t really think about it in that way, or in any of those ways. I’ve been putting a lot of efforts into doubles in the past few years, so especially with the success of my doubles before I took a break, I’d put singles on the side.

Now I’ve come back and I still want to play doubles because I enjoy it, but whenever I get a chance, I want to play singles, as well. I’m enjoying the moment of playing at a big tournament. That’s always nice.

TENNIS.COM: I know you were dealing with a shoulder injury, but were there other physical challenges that kept you off court for the last 18 months? How much was coming back a primary focus for you in your time off?

VERA ZVONARVEA: I had a second shoulder surgery and to be honest, I wasn’t in a rush to come back. I took my time, I enjoyed spending time with family. As soon as I felt like I physically felt ok, I decided to try and see how it goes.

I’m at a different stage of my career, and I’m just trying to enjoy. So, I picked some tournaments, and I could see that I can still play at this level. I want to keep going as long as my body allows me. You have to manage with the family, as well, but it’s most important that I enjoy my time on the court.

TENNIS.COM: When you started playing, there were top players retiring as young as 26. What inspiration have you taken from other players who have proven that it’s possible to enjoy longer careers?

VERA ZVONAREVA: I was always amazed by how well Martina Navratilova was playing at the very start of my career. I was so young, and she in her late-40s, still playing so well in doubles towards the end of her career. I saw what Martina Hingis was able to do, as well, coming back to play doubles. Those players are maybe my inspirations.

I never really thought I would be playing at this age when I started my career, for sure. But I enjoyed playing on tour, playing a lot of matches, tough matches. As long as I feel I can still do it, I would continue.

TENNIS.COM: Fitness has always been a hallmark of your game, and I recall a few years ago that you trained to run a marathon…

VERA ZVONAREVA: Actually, it was a half-marathon, but I was physically ready to run a marathon! I enjoy running, and my husband ran a marathon a couple weeks ago in Dubai while I was playing on tour. If I wasn’t on tour, I would have probably run with him, but it’s tennis for me for now. Maybe I’ll join him next time!

TENNIS.COM: What did you do to train and stay so fit?

VERA ZVONAREVA: I was doing some coaching, so I was still on the court a lot. I wasn’t necessarily training hard, but I had junior students I was trying to share my experience with them. I was hitting the ball, going to the gym and, in general, trying to stay fit even if I didn’t have a plan to come back.

I was not actually sure I would come back. It wasn’t something I was 100% working towards. I was just taking my time, doing all these different things, and then I realized, ‘Ok, I’m quite fit. My shoulder is better. I’ve done my rehab.’ Let me try and see how it goes.

TENNIS.COM: How do you feel the game has changed since you started playing?

VERA ZVONAREVA: I think the game is a bit faster now, definitely. Serve and return, the first shots are becoming more important. Everyone is physically much fitter now, because everyone is working much harder off the court, physically. The speed and precision are a little bit at a higher level. You have to be able to play this game.

Before, maybe you had some players who keep the ball in play and they’re able to reach quite a high level. Nowadays, I think that’s not enough anymore. They have to add something extra to their game. Obviously, there are different styles on tour and that’s great. But I think overall, the top players are faster and more powerful.

TENNIS.COM: Did you get a lot of responses from players who had heard you were coming back and playing?

VERA ZVONAREVA: Of course, I have some friends on tour who kept playing over the past two years. I received a few messages saying it’s nice to see me back. I saw everyone in Australia, as well. That’s always nice, to see familiar faces.

TENNIS.COM: Do you have any longterm partnerships in mind for doubles this year?

VERA ZVONAREVA: At the moment, nothing is set. We’ll see how it goes. I’m taking everything one day at a time.

TENNIS.COM: Has your daughter traveled with you much during this comeback?

VERA ZVONAREVA: She traveled with me more when she was younger. Now, she’s nine years old and at school. She has her schedule and I want to keep it that way. She was in Abu Dhabi for a couple days because we live in Dubai. She’ll be in Dubai for that tournament, as well. I think traveling is just a bit difficult now because I want her to have her friends and her schedule. I also think it’s easier for me because otherwise, it becomes more about making the family decision to travel together, which can be quite challenging!

TENNIS.COM: Is there something you’ve particularly enjoyed about this comeback thus far?

VERA ZVONAREVA: I think just playing the game and staying competitive. I wouldn’t say I enjoy the travel too much. That’s not something I was looking for. I don’t like flying back and forth, packing bags every week. Of course, I like to go back to some familiar places, but it’s just the method of getting there! But that’s part of the deal.

What I enjoy the most is playing the game and enjoying the competitiveness and playing myself. Even watching matches, I’m enjoying all of it.