Anna Blinkova has entered a new chapter in her tennis career. The 28-year-old tennis player was born in Moscow and spent most of her professional career representing Russia
In September 2026 she became a French citizen and announced that she would now represent France on the international tennis stage.
The move has attracted attention because Blinkova is not a new face in professional tennis.
She has already built a long career on the WTA Tour. She has reached a career-high ranking of No. 34 and has won two WTA singles titles.
She is also remembered for one of the most dramatic matches in recent Australian Open history.
Blinkova’s switch to France comes after years of living and training in the country.
Cannes has been an important part of her tennis life and she has spent many years there working on her game.
Her change of sporting allegiance was confirmed in September 2026.
So who is Anna Blinkova? Why did the Russian-born player become French? What has she achieved in tennis? And what could the nationality change mean for her future?
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Table of Contents
Who Is Anna Blinkova?
Anna Blinkova is a professional tennis player who was born on September 10, 1998, in Moscow, Russia. She is a right-handed player and stands around 5 feet 10 inches or 1.79 meters tall.1
Blinkova has competed on the WTA Tour since the late 2010s and has developed a reputation as a tough competitor who can cause problems for higher-ranked opponents. Her current singles ranking is No. 94.
Her career-best ranking is No. 34 which she achieved in 2023. Blinkova has won two WTA 250 singles titles.
Her first came in Cluj-Napoca in 2022. She added another WTA title in Jiujiang in 2025.
She has also enjoyed success in doubles. She has won three WTA-level doubles titles with different partners.
Her biggest Grand Slam moment came at the 2024 Australian Open. Blinkova defeated then-world No. 3 Elena Rybakina in an extraordinary second-round match.
The deciding-set tiebreak finished 22-20 in Blinkova’s favor after 42 points. That tiebreak became the longest singles tiebreak in Grand Slam history at the time.
Early Life and Tennis Background
Blinkova was born in Moscow and started developing as a tennis player at a young age. Like many professional players from Eastern Europe, she built her career through the junior and lower-level professional circuits before breaking into the WTA Tour.
Her progress became particularly noticeable during the second half of the 2010s. She reached the Wimbledon junior girls’ singles final in 2015 and eventually moved into senior professional tennis.
Blinkova’s career has not followed a straight line. She has spent periods outside the top 100 and has also climbed into the top 40.
Her best ranking came in 2023 when she reached No. 34 in the world. That rise showed that Blinkova could compete against established WTA players.
Her game has often allowed her to stay in long rallies while also using her return game to pressure opponents.
Anna Blinkova officially switches from Russia to France. pic.twitter.com/eZBWW4GRCb
— José Morgado (@josemorgado) September 18, 2026
Stats Table
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Anna Blinkova |
| Date of Birth | September 10, 1998 |
| Age | 28 |
| Birthplace | Moscow, Russia |
| Nationality | French |
| Former Representation | Russia |
| Height | 1.79 m |
| Plays | Right-handed |
| Current Singles Ranking | No. 94 |
| Career-high Singles Ranking | No. 34 |
| Singles WTA Titles | 2 |
| Doubles WTA Titles | 3 |
| 2022 Singles Title | Cluj-Napoca |
| 2025 Singles Title | Jiujiang |
| Best Australian Open Result | Round of 32 |
| Best Roland-Garros Result | Round of 32 |
| Best Wimbledon Result | Round of 32 |
| Best US Open Result | Round of 64 |
| Historic Match | Defeated Elena Rybakina at Australian Open 2024 |
| Historic Tiebreak | 22-20 in a 42-point deciding-set tiebreak |
Why Did Anna Blinkova Switch From Russia to France?
Blinkova’s nationality change is one of the main reasons she is trending in September 2026.2
She was officially naturalized as a French citizen after more than two years of administrative procedures. Her long connection with France played an important role in the change.
Cannes has been a major part of her professional life. Blinkova trained there for years and has developed a strong connection with the country.
In September 2026 she publicly confirmed the change and explained that France had become much more than a place where she trained.
She also said she was deeply happy and proud to represent France on the world stage. The change does not mean that Blinkova’s Russian background disappears.
She was born in Moscow and spent much of her career representing Russia. Instead it marks a new stage in her sporting identity.
Blinkova’s move is also part of a broader pattern in tennis. Several players born in Russia have represented other countries during their careers.
One of the most prominent examples is Elena Rybakina. Born in Moscow, Rybakina switched to represent Kazakhstan in 2018.
Another relevant example for Blinkova is Varvara Gracheva. She also trained in France and changed her representation from Russia to France before becoming part of French tennis.
Blinkova’s situation is therefore unusual but not completely unprecedented in professional tennis.
Anna Blinkova Becomes France’s No. 2 Player
Blinkova’s nationality change immediately gave France another highly ranked women’s singles player.
At the time of her switch she was ranked No. 94 in the world. Diane Parry was ranked No. 30 which placed her ahead of Blinkova among French players.
That made Blinkova France’s No. 2 women’s singles player based on the WTA rankings. The development is significant because Blinkova already has extensive WTA Tour experience.
She has competed at major tournaments around the world and has faced some of the best players in the sport. Her presence gives France another established player with top-40 experience.
However, there is an important distinction between representing France on the WTA Tour and representing France in team competitions.
Can Anna Blinkova Play for France in the Billie Jean King Cup?
This is one of the most important questions surrounding her nationality change.
Blinkova previously represented Russia in the Billie Jean King Cup. She played for the Russian team in 2017 and again in 2020.
Because of those previous appearances, she cannot simply switch immediately and join France’s Billie Jean King Cup team.
The rules surrounding nationality changes in international team tennis can require a waiting period and approval from the relevant tennis authorities.
Reports from French sports media have noted that Blinkova would need to go through the necessary process before she could represent France in the Billie Jean King Cup.
That means her WTA Tour status as a French player and her eligibility for French national-team competition are two separate matters.
For now, Blinkova’s first priority is continuing her individual career under the French flag.
Anna Blinkova’s Historic Australian Open Win
Blinkova’s name became widely known to tennis fans after her incredible victory over Elena Rybakina at the 2024 Australian Open. Rybakina entered that tournament as the No. 3 seed and was one of the leading contenders for the title.
Blinkova was ranked No. 57 at the time. The match turned into an instant Grand Slam classic.
Blinkova won the first set 6-4. Rybakina responded by taking the second set 6-4. The deciding set then went to a tiebreak.
What followed was extraordinary. Blinkova eventually won the tiebreak 22-20.
The tiebreak lasted 42 points and became the longest singles tiebreak in Grand Slam history. Blinkova also saved six match points during the deciding tiebreak.
She needed her 10th match point to finally finish the match. The final score was 6-4, 4-6, 7-6(22-20).
The victory was one of the biggest wins of her career and became one of the defining moments of the 2024 Australian Open.
It also showed an important part of Blinkova’s game. Even when she had opportunities to close the match earlier she stayed competitive after those chances disappeared.
Her ability to keep fighting became a major theme of her career.
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Anna Blinkova’s WTA Titles
Blinkova has won two WTA singles titles during her career.3
Her first WTA title came at the 2022 Transylvania Open in Cluj-Napoca. She later reached another important milestone in 2025 when she won the Jiangxi Open in Jiujiang.
Both titles came at WTA 250 level and were played on hard courts. Blinkova also has three WTA doubles titles.
Her doubles success has added another dimension to her career and demonstrates that she has been able to perform in both singles and doubles competition.
Her singles results remain the main focus of her career but her doubles experience has also contributed to her overall professional development.
Anna Blinkova’s Grand Slam Record
Blinkova has reached the third round at each of the Australian Open, Roland-Garros and Wimbledon.
At the Australian Open she reached the third round in 2024 after defeating Rybakina. At Roland-Garros she reached the third round in 2019 and 2023.
She also reached the third round at Wimbledon in 2023. Her US Open results have been more limited.
Her best singles result there is a second-round appearance. These results show why Blinkova has remained a respected name on the WTA Tour even when her ranking has moved outside the top 50.
She has shown that she can perform at Grand Slam level and challenge elite opponents.
Anna Blinkova’s 2026 Season
The 2026 season has been another important year in Blinkova’s career. She has spent much of the year around the top 100 and returned to No. 94 in the rankings in September.
Her nationality switch came at a particularly interesting moment because she immediately produced strong results at the São Paulo tournament.
Blinkova entered the WTA 250 event as the fourth seed. She won her opening match against Carol Young Suh Lee.
She then defeated Vendula Valdmannova to reach the quarterfinals. In the quarterfinals she defeated Alina Charaeva 6-4, 7-5.
The win sent Blinkova into her first WTA semifinal of the 2026 season. She was scheduled to face Kaitlin Quevedo in the semifinal on September 19.
That made São Paulo a memorable tournament even before the event was finished. It was Blinkova’s first WTA tournament representing France and she had already reached the last four.
What Makes Anna Blinkova’s France Switch Significant?
Blinkova’s change is significant for several reasons.
First, she already has a long professional record. This is not a young player beginning a career under a new flag. She has spent years competing at the highest level of women’s tennis.
Second, France has become an important part of her life away from competition. Her long connection with Cannes gives the nationality change a personal and professional background.
Third, the move immediately changes the makeup of French women’s tennis. With Blinkova ranked inside the world’s top 100 she becomes an important part of France’s current singles group.
Finally, her switch comes at a time when nationality changes in tennis continue to attract attention.
For Blinkova the change is especially notable because she previously represented Russia in the Billie Jean King Cup. Her future participation in French team competition will depend on the applicable eligibility rules and approval process.
Anna Blinkova’s Playing Style
Blinkova is known for her ability to compete from the baseline and absorb pressure during long exchanges. Her height gives her a useful reach and allows her to generate power from the back of the court.
She can also be aggressive on return. That was visible during some of her biggest victories against highly ranked opponents.
At the same time she is capable of defending for long periods. Her 2024 victory over Rybakina showed both sides of her game.
Against one of the biggest hitters in women’s tennis she had to defend repeatedly while also looking for opportunities to attack.
Mental strength has also been an important part of her career.
The Australian Open match against Rybakina is the clearest example. Blinkova had multiple chances to close the match before the deciding tiebreak. She then survived six match points before finally winning.
What Is Next for Anna Blinkova?
Blinkova’s immediate focus is her continued run at the São Paulo WTA 250. Her semifinal against Kaitlin Quevedo is the next major match in her first tournament as a French representative.
Beyond São Paulo the bigger question will be how the nationality change affects the next stage of her career. Blinkova remains an experienced player with a career-high ranking of No. 34 and two WTA singles titles.
A return toward the top 50 would put her in a stronger position within French women’s tennis. Her eligibility for future Billie Jean King Cup competition will also be closely watched.
For now she has already made a memorable start under the French flag.
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FAQ’s
Who is Anna Blinkova?
Anna Blinkova is a professional tennis player born in Moscow, Russia. She is now a French citizen and represents France on the WTA Tour. She has reached a career-high ranking of No. 34 and has won two WTA singles titles.
How old is Anna Blinkova?
Anna Blinkova was born on September 10, 1998. She is 28 years old in 2026.
Where was Anna Blinkova born?
Anna Blinkova was born in Moscow, Russia.
Is Anna Blinkova Russian or French?
Blinkova was born in Russia and spent most of her career representing Russia. In September 2026 she became a French citizen and began representing France in professional tennis.
Why did Anna Blinkova become French?
Blinkova has lived and trained in France for many years. She has a long connection with Cannes and said France had become much more than a training base for her.
Conclusion
Anna Blinkova’s move from Russian representation to France marks a new chapter in an already established tennis career.
Born in Moscow and a former Russian representative, Blinkova has spent many years building her professional life in France.
Her connection with Cannes and her long period of training in the country helped shape the background to her decision to become French.
The next stage will be about more than nationality. Blinkova will be looking to build on her results, climb the rankings again and continue competing at the highest level.
For French tennis fans she is now a new name to follow.
For longtime followers of Blinkova’s career it is the beginning of a different chapter for a player who has already experienced some extraordinary moments on the WTA Tour.
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