“My dream is to win the French Open and break into the WTA top 10.”
Ilina Ilieva, tennis player born in 2011, represents Bulgaria in international competitions. She is nationally ranked in the top 5 in the U16 category and competes on the ITF World Tennis Tour Juniors.
Like many junior players featured in our international girls tennis interviews section, Ilina is gaining valuable experience across national and international tournaments, gradually refining her playing style and competitive mindset.
Through Tennis Papers, discover an exclusive profile and interview highlighting her tennis journey, playing style, competitive experience, and ambitions.
This profile is based on an exclusive interview conducted by Tennis Papers.
Table of Contents
👧 Ilina Ilieva | Biography, March 2026
| Full Name | Ilina Ilieva |
| Date of birth | June 9, 2011 |
| Nationality | Bulgarian 🇧🇬 |
| Residence | Sofia, Bulgaria |
| Age started tennis | 6 |
| Tennis age category | U16 |
| National ranking | Top 5 |
| Tennis Europe ranking | Top 100 |
| Best ITF Junior Ranking | #2206 |
| Tennis club | Via Tennis Star |
| Coaches | Tsetomira Nikolova Vasil Dimitrov Hristo Valeov Tsveti Ivanova Kiril Dinchev Dyan Yurukov |
| Sponsors | Yonex Tennis Bulgaria |
| @ilina_ilieva_ |
Ilina Ilieva tennis highlights: Moments of success for the young Bulgarian talent showcasing her trophies from national and international junior tournaments. These victories reflect the hard work and dedication of this rising tennis player on the junior circuit.
🎙️ Ilina Ilieva | Interview, March 2026
Hello, introduce yourself please.My name is Ilina Ilieva, and I am 14 years old. I was born on June 9, 2011, in Sofia, Bulgaria.
What languages do you speak?I speak Bulgarian and English, and I am learning Spanish.
At what age did you start playing tennis?I tried tennis when I was 6, but I started regular training at 9.
Are there other tennis players in your family?There are no tennis players in my family. My little sister is taking her first steps on the court.
In which club do you train?I train at the Via Tennis Star club.
Who are your coaches?My tennis coach is Tsetomira Nikolova. At the club, I also train with Vasil Dimitrov, Hristo Valeov, and Tsveti Ivanova. My physical trainers are Kiril Dinchev and Dyan Yurukov.
What is your weekly training routine?I play 4 hours tennis every day and 1 or 2 hours fitness. I play 2-3 hours tennis on weekdays and 1 hour fitness.
What is your greatest strength as a player, and what do you need to improve?I think my strength is my all-around game and my ability to come to the net. I need to improve my physical condition, especially my strength and speed.
What is your age category and your national ranking?I play in the U16 category, but I started on the ITF circuit last year. My best national ranking is 1st, and I’m currently 4th.
What have been your greatest successes so far?Last year (2025), I won two consecutive TE (Tennis Europe) tournaments in the U16 category, in singles and doubles, Category 2.
At the end of the year (2025), I won the ITF J30 doubles tournament.In which countries have you played tournaments?I’ve participated in many tournaments abroad.
Do you have any sponsors?Yes, I’m sponsored by Yonex.
What is your goal for 2026?My goal for 2026 is to reach the semifinals of an ITF tournament and to participate in the TE Super U16 tournament in Rome, Italy.
What is your tennis dream?My dream is to win the French Open and break into the WTA top 10.
Who are your favorite tennis players?My favorite tennis player is Mirra Andreeva.
What do you enjoy outside of tennis?I love skiing.
Who would you like to dedicate this interview to?I dedicate this interview to my team.
Ilina, thank you for the interview 🙌
Tennis Papers wishes you all the best in your tennis journey 💜🩷
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