LIFE - Queens of the Court: Tennis Stars

Play's the Thing!

Mon, 29 Jun 2009 15:53:29 EDT

Professional tennis players work hard. LIFE wanted to see what happens when they play hard -- so we invited some of the best on the Sony Ericsson WTA Tour to leave their competitive spirit and game face behind, and cut loose. Pictured: Maria Elena Camerin (Italy); Julie Coin and Severine Bremond Beltrame (France).

Alla Kudryavtseva, Russia

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 00:30:24 EDT

In 2008, after beating 3rd seed Maria Sharapova in the second round at Wimbledon, Kudryavtseva said that it was "very pleasant to beat Maria. Why? Well, I don't like her outfit." Sharapova famously wore a sleeveless tuxedo-shirt get-up that year that set tongues wagging.

Jelena Jankovic, Serbia

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 00:29:30 EDT

Was ranked World No. 1 for 17 weeks before being overtaken by Serena Williams in February 2009. Her French isn't bad, either: She studied it a diplomatic school in Serbia. See Jelena powering through at Wimbledon.

Gisela Dulko, Argentina

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 00:18:18 EDT

Dulko upset Maria Sharapova in three sets at Wimbledon in June 2009. Also worth noting: she dated Spanish tennis player Fernando Verdasco. See Gisela in action at Wimbledon.

Jill Craybas, USA

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 00:20:13 EDT

A native of Rhode Island who now lives in Huntington Beach, Calif., Craybas has won one WTA and four ITF titles over the course of her career. Jill graduated from the University of Florida in 1996 with a degree in telecommunications.

Severine Bremond Beltrame, France

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 00:18:45 EDT

Made it to the semifinals in mixed doubles at Wimbledon in 2007 with Fabrice Santoro. You should also know that Severine speaks French, English, and Spanish; has two dogs (Hugo, Ralph); and thinks New York is incredible. See Severine's style on the tennis court, too.

Melanie South, Great Britain

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 00:18:38 EDT

Currently the No. 3 ranked British player; has won 6 International Tennis Federation singles titles. Her favorite saying is, "If it is to be, it is up to me." Worth mulling.

Sabine Lisicki, Germany

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 00:17:47 EDT

Won the Family Circle Cup in Charleston, SC, April 2009, beating Caroline Wozniacki in straight sets. Sabine has a Yorkshire Terrier named Happy. Her favorite book is Lance Armstrong's autobiography. See Sabine with her game face on .

Monica Niculescu, Romania

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 00:18:22 EDT

As of June 2009, holds a career record of 214 -107. Her earliest memory of tennis is playing against her sister Gabriela, who was a professional tennis player herself and currently attends USC.

Vera Zvonareva, Russia

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 00:18:05 EDT

Won the doubles championship at the US Open in 2006 with Nathalie Dechy, and is an Olympic medalist. She really likes traveling. And strawberries. See Vera in her element: on the court.

Elena Baltacha, Great Britain

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 00:18:58 EDT

A former British No.1, she has won six ITF singles titles and four ITF doubles titles. She comes from sporty stock: Her mother, Olga, is a former Russian pentathlete; her father, Sergie, is a former professional soccer player.

Olga Savchuk, Ukraine

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 00:18:45 EDT

Has a career record of 153 - 103, and has won three ITF titles. If you guessed that both her father and mother are engineers, you're right. Olga speaks Russian, Ukrainian, English.

Galina Voskoboeva, Kazakhstan

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 00:28:31 EDT

Born in Moscow, Galina officially changed her nationality from Russian to Kazakhstani in 2008. Her favorite movie is Meet Joe Black.

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, Russia

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 00:19:11 EDT

Anastasia has won one WTA title and eight ITF titles in her four-year pro career. She travels the world, of course, to play in tournaments, but her very favorite place to visit is Melbourne, Australia. See Anastasia kissing the trophy with her partner after they won the girl's doubles title at Wimbledon.

Natalie Grandin, South Africa

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 00:29:13 EDT

The most memorable moment of her career thus far was playing for South Africa in the 2005 ITF Fed Cup. The one person in the world she admires above all others: Nelson Mandela. All the photos in this gallery were taken at a Sony Ericsson WTA Tour party in London in June 2009.

Abigail Spears, USA

Fri, 26 Jun 2009 00:28:35 EDT

Reached the women's doubles quarterfinals at the 2008 U.S. Open with Raquel Kops-Jones. She started playing at age 7 when a tennis coach noticed her hitting against a wall to occupy herself while her parents played racquetball. Her favorite movies? Braveheart and Gladiator.