Ivan Stepanin | Tennis Player (2011, Finland)

“My dream is to become a professional tennis player, play doubles with Ben Shelton, and win multiple Grand Slam titles.”

Ivan Stepanin is a junior tennis player from Helsinki, Finland, born in 2011. Competing in the U15 and U16 categories, he is developing quickly through intensive training, regular tournament play across Finland, and a strong all-around game built on speed, baseline control, and mental toughness.

Through Tennis Papers, discover an exclusive profile and interview highlighting his tennis journey, playing style, competitive experience, and ambitions.

This profile is based on an exclusive interview conducted by Tennis Papers.

👦 Ivan Stepanin | Biography, March 2026

Full Name	Ivan Stepanin
Date of birth	September 28, 2011
Nationality	Finnish 🇫🇮
Residence	Helsinki, Finland
Age started tennis	13
Tennis age category	U15
Finland tennis ranking
International ranking
Tennis club	Smash
Coaches	Joni Wilenius
Sponsors
Instagram	@ivanstepanin_

Ivan Stepanin tennis player 2011 Finland — Ivan Stepanin | Tennis Player (2011, Finland) 🇫🇮

🎙️ Ivan Stepanin | Interview, March 2026

Hello, introduce yourself please.

Hi! My name is Ivan Stepanin and I am a 14-year-old tennis player. I was born on September 28, 2011, I am 168 cm tall, and I live in Helsinki, Finland.

What languages do you speak?

I speak Finnish, Russian, and English fluently, and I also speak a little Swedish and Spanish. Being able to communicate in several languages has helped me connect with many people through tennis.

At what age did you start playing tennis?

I started playing tennis when I was almost 13 years old, and I have been playing ever since. Even though I started later than many players, I immediately got into the sport and committed myself to improving as much as possible.

Are there other tennis players in your family?

Yes, my parents play tennis at an amateur level. They were the ones who first introduced me to the sport, and they continue to support me throughout my tennis journey.

In which club do you train?

I train at Smash in Helsinki, which has been a great place for me to develop my game and train in a competitive environment.

Who are your coaches?

My main coach at the moment is Joni Wilenius, who has helped guide my development and push me to improve both technically and mentally.

What is your weekly training routine?

I train almost every day. My weekly routine includes around 12 hours of tennis practice and about 2.5 hours of athletics training. On top of that, I usually compete in tournaments around Finland almost every weekend, which gives me valuable match experience.

What is your greatest strength as a player, and what do you need to improve?

I believe my greatest strengths are my speed on the court, my ability to control points from the baseline, and my mental toughness, which I think is strong for my age. One area I want to improve is finishing points at the net and becoming more confident when moving forward.

What is your age category and your national ranking?

I compete in the U15 and U16 categories. At the moment I am not yet ranked in Tennis Europe, but I would love to start competing there sometime next year. My current UTR rating is around 7.xx.

What have been your greatest successes so far?

One of my greatest achievements so far has been how much I have improved in such a short amount of time. It has also been very rewarding to compete at the same level as players who have been playing tennis their entire lives.

In which countries have you played tournaments?

So far I have only played tournaments in Finland. However, I would love to compete in other countries as well. I think the international experience would be amazing and would help me grow both as a player and as a person.

Do you have any sponsors?

I do not currently have any official sponsorships, but I have built a good relationship with Kirschbaum strings and recently received a test package from them, which has been a great opportunity.

What is your goal for 2026?

My goal for 2026 is to play as many tournaments as possible and continue improving every aspect of my game. I want to gain more experience, compete at a higher level, and keep developing my skills.

What is your tennis dream?

My dream is to become a professional tennis player, play doubles with Ben Shelton, and win multiple Grand Slam titles.

Which player would you most like to meet and why?

I would love to meet Ben Shelton and Daniil Medvedev because they have been two of my biggest inspirations since the start of my tennis journey.

What do you enjoy doing outside of tennis?

Most of my time is dedicated to tennis and studying, but during the short breaks between training and school I enjoy going out to eat with my family, watching movies, and spending time with my friends.

Who would you like to dedicate this interview to?

I would like to dedicate this interview to my parents, who introduced me to tennis and continue to support me every step of the way. Their encouragement means everything to me.