CHARLESTON, SC – For Yuliia Starodubsteva, she didn’t have high expectations coming into the Charleston Open.
The Ukrainian World No. 89 said that even though he knew his status was there, his confidence was not enough after 2025, and he entered the tournament as an actor until a withdrawal put him in the main draw.
In the Lowcountry, Starodubtseva reached her first career WTA Tour Powered by Mercedes-Benz final. She faces defending champion Jessica Pegula for the title. Get to know Starodubtseva, and check out the Q&A on wtatennis.com below:
He has been at home in Ukraine for four years
With the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Starodubtseva has not returned home for four years, she told reporters after defeating Madison Keys in the Charleston semifinals. He currently lives in Berlin, Germany, but recently moved to Barcelona, Spain.
“I still have a family at home,” Starodubtseva said. “I haven’t been home for four years. I miss home a lot. I haven’t seen my father, my grandparents for four years.
“It’s been difficult. I always think about getting us all together, but maybe now it will be easier because I feel like a lot of it depends on the final games.”
He plays collegiately at Old Dominion University
Starodubtseva chose to go to college abroad from her native Ukraine because at the time she was not financially ready to go to work, and the 17-year-old decided on Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, United States.
“Actually, like I was 17 years old, and I didn’t know anything about American colleges,” Starodubtseva said to the press after defeating McCartney Kessler in the quarterfinals. “It seemed like a good opportunity, especially since I couldn’t be a professional at the time.”
In 2022, he went 22-1 in singles matches, with one win over — surprisingly — Kessler, who defeated him in a three-match match against the University of Florida. Starodubtseva said she chose Old Dominion because they gave her a lot of resources to compete with them, and that there were already some Ukrainian players on the team.
“I felt comfortable going there, and they gave me a scholarship, food, accommodation. So it was good.”
Additionally, she met her current coach and boyfriend Pearse Dolan at Old Dominion. She was playing in the men’s team while Starodubtseva was there. Dolan from Australia, has been training him for the past year and a half.
He coached green clay for a year on the national team
After graduating from Old Dominion in 2022, Starodubtseva spent a year in Westchester, New York and trained at the Westchester Country Club. Surprisingly, there are 15 green clay courts in the national team, which Starodubtseva jokingly attributed to her success in Charleston.
“There’s an inside joke that I’m very comfortable on green clay because I’ve trained on it for a year,” Starodubtseva said Friday.
Since he could not immediately go to the next university, he received training money in New York City, and played UTR (Universal Tennis Rating) matches as a bridge to becoming a professional. Amazingly, he remembered how he had played Kessler in the last game of one of those events, but this time he had won.
At Friday’s Charleston quarterfinal game at Kessler, his former coach on the national team was also in attendance.
Can you ask the customers of his national team?
“Everyone,” Starodubtseva laughed. “I coached women’s clinic, men’s clinic, kids, camp, whatever you call it, 10 hours a day sometimes.”
Q&A by wtatennis.com after his semi-final win
During the press conference you mentioned about your family back home, were they able to watch your race in Charleston?
Starodubtseva: It was funny yesterday I finished the night, and I wasn’t sure if my parents were watching. Sometimes they struggle to find a stream, back home it’s a bit more difficult. My dad texted me after the game. ‘How do you feel? Do you feel happy? Do you feel tired? Are you feeling the adrenaline? Can you practice now? Can you practice now?’
It’s just a solid eastern European concept. I’m like ‘Dad, I’m laying in bed resting.’
Because of the success of Charleston, you said your phone is ringing. How many unread messages do you have?
Starodubtseva: (checks phone) I can’t even read them, it’s crazy. And my Instagram is off, so I don’t see it so it’s not in my face all the time. I’m just not going to open it. I hope to get followers now (laughs).
What was your motivation to get into tennis?
Starodubtseva: I feel like it started randomly. I chose the sport I would do when I was five years old. It wasn’t competitive at all at first until maybe 11 (years old). I started winning some domestic competitions, then my father took me to other competitions in Ukraine, which he also won.
Then I started to be competitive and I felt that maybe I could go further. At that time, I was 17 years old, and it was a decision to go to college or play professionally. At that time, we felt unprepared, perhaps physically, mentally and financially.
Before you went to Old Dominion, what was your impression of college in America?
Starodubtseva: My father was willing, but I didn’t know what was going on (laughs). I didn’t really know where I was going to go, which university, I didn’t know much about the US university culture, although it is great, as I understand it now.
I feel like I grew up a lot in college and became a better player there as well. I did my undergraduate degree in intercultural communication, and then I got a master’s in sports management.
What was your favorite part of the athletic experience at university?
Starodubtseva: Traveling, I feel like that will be my best and favorite part, just being with the team and having fun. Room sharing, sometimes car sharing, car rides, house parties… sometimes.
Next: On the Tennis Channel, you said you like to go out?
I’m not like crazy. I went out this year maybe one time (laughs), and that was a lucky day. In college, maybe more. I was really having fun, but now I’m serious.
What are your favorite things or things you do off the court?
Starodubtseva: I like to drive, I like nice cars. I like techno music, listening a lot. Sometimes I read books, but I’m not sure if it’s something I really like, I try to do it. Watch movies, TV shows, go to the cinema here.
What is your dream driver?
By the way, Germany would be great. The Autobahn, of course.
Besides tennis, what other sports do you enjoy watching or playing?
Starodubtseva: I’m inspired by my boyfriend, he watches a lot of football in America so I have to sit there and watch it (laughs).
What is his favorite team and have you ever been to a game?
Green Bay Packers. He likes Aaron Rodgers*, and so do I now. He is supporting them, and I am supporting them. I’m just in college. I have never been in a professional game. Not much of a chance.
* Former Green Bay quarterback and current Pittsburgh Steelers quarterback
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