Karina Kim – Tennis Player (2012 • Russia)
“My dream is to win a career Grand Slam and to be number 1 in WTA.”
Karina Kim is a junior tennis player born in 2012 who represents Russia. Ranked No. 7 nationally in the U14 category, she trains in Belarus where she continues to develop her game through regular training and national competition.
Like many junior players featured in our Girls Interviews section, Karina is building experience on the national junior circuit.
Through Tennis Papers, discover an exclusive profile and interview highlighting her tennis journey, playing style, competition experience, and goals.
This profile is based on an exclusive interview conducted by Tennis Papers.
Related Russian Tennis Players
- Polina Kashitsyna (2012, Russia)
- Aleksandra Karabanova (2012, Russia)
Karina Kim | Biography, February 2026
| Name | Karina Kim |
| Date of birth | May 7, 2012 |
| Nationality | Russian 🇷🇺 |
| Residence | Khabarovsk, Russia |
| Age started tennis | 5 |
| Tennis age category | U14 |
| National ranking | #7 |
| International ranking | |
| Tennis club | Solnechny Tennis Club |
| Coaches | Ivan Kobzar Alexandra Shabanova |
| Sponsors | |
| @kary.tennis |
Through Tennis Papers, discover more content related to junior tennis development, including our coverage of Junior Tennis Tournaments and Junior Tennis Rankings.
Khabarovsk, Russia 🇷🇺 – Far Eastern city on the Amur River
🌍 Major city in Russia’s Far East near the Chinese border
🌊 Set along the broad Amur River with scenic embankments
🏛️ Known for its historic architecture and regional museums
🌉 Expansive bridges and riverfront promenades shape city life
✨ A remote yet vibrant hub blending frontier history and modern growth
Karina Kim | Interview, February 2026
Hello, introduce yourself please.Hello, my name is Karina Kim. I was born on May 7, 2012, in Khabarovsk, Russia.
What languages do you speak?I speak Russian and a little English.
At what age did you start playing tennis?I started playing tennis at the age of 5.
Are there other tennis players in your family?Yes, my younger sister also plays tennis, and my parents played, but not professionally.
In which club do you train?I train at the Solnechny Tennis Club in Belarus.
Who are your coaches?My tennis coach is Ivan Kobzar, and my physical trainer is Alexandra Shabanova.
What is your weekly training routine?I train five times a week for physical conditioning, three hours a day for tennis, and once a week for yoga.
What is your greatest strength as a player, and what do you need to improve?My strongest point is my serve. I want to improve the accuracy of my shots.
What is your age category and your national ranking?I am in the under-14 category. I am ranked 7th nationally.
What have been your greatest successes so far?I finished 3rd in the Russian national under-16 competitions and won my federal district championship.
In which countries have you played tournaments?So far, I have only participated in tournaments in Russia and Belarus.
Do you have any sponsors?Unfortunately, I don’t have a sponsor.
What is your goal for 2026?Improve my game and start playing in ITF tournaments.
What is your tennis dream?My dream is to win a career Grand Slam and to be number 1 in WTA.
Who are your favorite tennis players?My favorite tennis players are Aryna Sabalenka, Elena Rybakina, and Novak Djokovic.
What do you enjoy outside of tennis?I don’t have any particular hobbies besides tennis, but I enjoy building with Lego.
Who would you like to dedicate this interview to?I dedicate this interview to Tennis Papers.
Karina, thank you for the interview 🙌
Tennis Papers wishes you all the best in your tennis journey 💜🩷
