Yulia Putintseva believes she has ‘room to improve’ despite wins over Iga Swiatek and Coco Gauff in 2024 | Exclusive
Yulia Putintseva came from behind to defeat Iga Swiatek 3-6, 6-1, 6-2 at Wimbledon, while beating Coco Gauff 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 at Cincinnati.
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Yulia Putintseva, Coco Gauff, and Iga Swiatek (via US Open/Tennis Gazette/BBC)
From struggling in the fringes of the WTA Tour, Yulia Putintseva has successfully established herself as one of the top players in the women’s circuit. The Kazakh star had her best season in 2024 in which she started as World No. 69 but ended the year as World No. 29. The significant leap in her ranking position also saw her defeat Coco Gauff and Iga Swiatek.
Putintseva shocked the tennis world at the 2024 Wimbledon Championship in July. The World No. 29 came from a set down to beat World No. 1 Iga Swiatek 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, ending the Polish star’s 21-match winning streak. The victory earned Putintseva her first Round of 16 at Wimbledon and first at any major event since making the 2020 US Open quarterfinals.
She sent another shocking wave through the tennis world by knocking off World No. 3 Coco Gauff 6-4, 2-6, 6-4 in the third round of the Cincinnati Open. Against the 2023 champion, Putintseva held a 0-3 record, but since picking her second career win over Swiatek, she became a “giant killer” in the WTA.
Before this season, she hadn’t beaten a Top 5 player in a completed match since 2017, but is currently 7-26 in her career against such opponents.
During a conversation with the Fantastic Tennis Podcast by FirstSportz, Putintseva revealed that despite her win over Swiatek and Gauff, there’s still room for improvement in her game. The former World No. 27 added that she looks forward to keep on practicing on the court.
I think I can still have a room to improve. So I keep on focusing on that part more than how the year has been. I mean, the New Year’s coming. We have to look now forward, not back. So that’s pretty much it. And yeah, practice, practice, practice.
Yulia Putintseva said via Fantastic Tennis Podcast powered by FirstSportz
Putintseva began the 2024 season by reaching the quarterfinals of the Hobart International. She reached the last eight of the Thailand Open in February before losing to Wang Xinyu in three sets. She continued with the momentum at the Miami Open, winning four straight matches to reach her third quarterfinals of the season.
Her performance earned her an impressive victory over Top 20 star Liudmila Samsonova in the third round, before she eventually lost to Victoria Azarenka in the last eight. Putintseva earned another notable victory at the Madrid Open. She was leading Olympic gold medalist Qinwen Zheng 7-5, 2-0 before the Chinese star retired due to injury.
She reached the last four in Madrid and was eventually knocked out by her fellow compatriot Elena Rybakina 6-4, 6-7, 5-7. However, the World No. 29’s hard work finally paid off at the Rothesay Birmingham Open. The Kazakh star was crowned champion after her 6-1, 7-6(8) over Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic led her to a first career grass-court title. Her victory at the Edgbaston Priory Club came in the wake of a stellar season, reaching multiple Masters 1000 quarterfinals.
However, Putintseva was heavily criticized by fans on social media after an incident between her and a ball girl. In a viral video on social media, she was seen ignoring the balls the ball kid tossed towards her during her third-round loss against Jasmine Paolini at the US Open. She later apologized, explaining that she didn’t intentionally disrespect the ball girl.
Yulia Putintseva keeps her 2025 goals to herself after achieving excellent heights this year
Yulia Putintseva ended 2024 reaching her sixth quarterfinals of the season at the Ningbo Open after defeating lucky loser Ella Seidel in straight sets. The World No. 29 failed to reach the semifinals after losing to eventual champion Daria Kasatkina 4-6, 6-1, 6(6)-7. After that, she helped Kazakhstan reach the qualifying round of the 2025 Billie Jean King Cup.
Of course, I do. But I want to keep it for myself, all my goals, and for my team. Sorry about that.
Yulia Putintseva said
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The 29-year-old was part of the team that defeated the South Korean team in November. Indeed, her 6-4, 7-5 over Ku Yeon Woo was enough for Kazakhstan to earn a place in the qualifying round, which begins in April.
During the aforementioned appearance on the Fantastic Tennis Podcast by FirstSportz, Putintseva was asked what her goals for the 2025 season were. The 29-year-old said it would remain a secret between her and her team.
Putintseva will open her 2025 campaign at the Brisbane International which began on December 29. The No. 15 seed will play American McCartney Kessler on Tuesday (December 31) for a place in the Round of 16 of the tournament.
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Victor Okechukwu
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