👦 Gleb Zakharov | Tennis Papers interview, November 2025

“My dream is to be ranked in the world’s top 20.”

Meet Gleb Zakharov, Ukrainian boy junior tennis player who lives in Valencia, Spain and competing in U12 tennis category.
Gleb participated in Rafa Nadal Academy competitions in Mallorca.

(Information gathered via an exclusive interview by Tennis Papers).

📘 Gleb Zakharov | Biography, November 2025

🌞 Valencia, Spain 🇪🇸

🏖️ Mediterranean vibes – Gorgeous beaches, warm weather, and a relaxed coastal lifestyle.
🏛️ Historic + modern mix – From the Gothic El Micalet to the futuristic City of Arts and Sciences.
🍊 Land of oranges – Famous for citrus production and fresh, vibrant flavors.
🥘 Home of Paella – The birthplace of Spain’s most iconic dish.
🌿 Green & lively – The Turia Gardens offer a massive green space for biking, walking, and enjoying nature.
🎨 Colorful culture – Las Fallas festival, street art, and a thriving creative scene.
⚽ Sporty city – Passionate fans and a strong football identity with Valencia CF.

🎙️Gleb Zakharov | Interview, November 2025

Hello, introduce yourself please.

My name is Gleb Zakharov, I am 12 years old, I was born November 20, 2013.
I am Ukrainian, and I live in Valencia, Spain.

What languages do you speak?

I speak Ukrainian, Russian, English, Spanish and a bit of German.

At what age did you start playing tennis?

At the age of 5 I started playing tennis.

Are there other tennis players in your family?

No

In which club do you train?

Valencia Tennis Club

Who are your coaches?

Coaches of Valencia Tennis Center and Sergio Dronov, coach of Valencia Tennis Academy.

What is your weekly training routine?

I train 4 days a week. 3 days in a group and 1 day of individual training.

As an athlete, what is your greatest quality and what do you need to improve?

I guess my greatest quality is rally, forehand and backhand. I need to improve my mental skills and ball serve.

What is your junior category and your national ranking?

In Spain I play in a U12 category. I participate in tournaments that do not influence national ranking so far.

What has been your greatest achievement?

Winning 2 tournaments — Best tennis player of Valencia Tennis Club in my age category and Best player Torneo Aficionados Almussafes. I also participated in Rafa Nadal Academy competitions in Mallorca.

In which countries have you already played tournament?

In Spain and Ukraine.

Do you have any sponsors?

Not yet but I would love to.

What is your goal for 2026?

I would love to participate in more tournaments and increase my points in national ranking.

What is your tennis dream?

To be ranked in the world’s top 20.

Who are your favorite tennis players?

Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal.

What do you like to do outside of tennis?

Playing chess and video games.

To which people would you like to dedicate this interview?

To the guys who want to achieve results in tennis just like me, as well as my wonderful coaches and my beloved family who supports me.

Thanks a lot Gleb!
Tennis Papers wishes you the best in your tennis life 💜🩷