Zayyan Virani | Tennis Player (2009, Kenya)

Guillaume Laisne
BoysITF
Zayyan Virani, Kenyan U18 junior tennis player training in Barcelona
ITF World U18
Top 400
Kenya U18
No. 1
WTN
11.9
UTR
11+

Rankings updated on September 11, 2026

“My next goal is to play the Junior Grand Slams.”

Zayyan Virani tennis player is a Kenyan junior tennis player born in 2009 who currently lives and trains in Barcelona, Spain. Training at Emilio Sánchez Academy with coaches Steffan Ortega and Joey Blasi Smith, he competes in the U18 category, is the No. 1 player from Kenya, is ranked No. 335 on the ITF circuit, won a J60 singles title, is sponsored by Yonex, and aims to play the Junior Grand Slams.

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.

Zayyan Virani · Biography, September 2026

Full NameZayyan Virani
Date of birthApril 5, 2009
Nationality🇰🇪 Kenyan
ResidenceBarcelona, Spain
Age started tennis2
Tennis age categoryU18
Kenya tennis ranking#1
ITF junior ranking#335 (best)
WTN rating11.9
UTR tennis rating11.xx
Tennis clubEmilio Sánchez Academy
CoachesSteffan Ortega
Joey Blasi Smith
SponsorsYonex
Instagram@viranizayyan
Zayyan Virani, Kenyan U18 junior tennis player training in Barcelona
Zayyan Virani, Kenyan U18 junior tennis player training in Barcelona
Zayyan Virani shares his tennis journey from Kenya to Barcelona, Emilio Sánchez Academy training, ITF ranking, J60 singles title, Yonex sponsorship, one-handed backhand inspirations, and Junior Grand Slam goal.
Zayyan Virani, Kenyan U18 junior tennis player training in Barcelona

Zayyan Virani · Interview, August 2026

What is your name, birthdate, nationality, residence?
My name is Zayyan Virani. I was born on April 5, 2009, in Kenya. I currently live and train in Barcelona, Spain.
What languages do you speak?
I speak English, Spanish, and Kiswahili.
At what age did you start playing tennis?
I started playing tennis when I was two years old.
Are there other tennis players in your family?
Yes, my older brother also plays tennis.
In which tennis academy do you train?
I train at the Emilio Sánchez Academy in Barcelona.
Who are your coaches?
My coaches are Steffan Ortega and Joey Blasi Smith.
What is your greatest strength as a player, and what do you need to improve?
My greatest strength as a player is my forehand, and I need to improve my serve.
What is your age category and ranking?
My age category is U18. I am the No. 1 player from Kenya and I am currently ranked No. 335 on the ITF circuit.
What have been your greatest successes so far?
My greatest success so far has been winning a J60 singles title.
In which countries have you played tournaments?
I have played tournaments in many countries, including France, Spain, Portugal, the United Kingdom, Canada, the United States, Madagascar, Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, and many more.
What equipment brands do you currently use, and are you sponsored by any of them?
I am currently sponsored by Yonex and I use the Yonex VCORE 98 with PolyTour Pro Comfort strings and PolyTour REV strings. I use Nike for my clothing and shoes because I grew up in a family that only wore Nike.
What is your next goal?
My next goal is to play the Junior Grand Slams.
What is your tennis dream?
My tennis dream is to become a Top 100 player in the world and compete on the biggest stages.
Who are your favorite players and why?
My favorite players are Dominic Thiem and Roger Federer because I play with a one-handed backhand, and they both have one-handed backhands as well.
What do you enjoy doing outside of tennis?
Outside of tennis, I enjoy playing video games and playing football.
Who would you like to dedicate this interview to?
I would like to dedicate this interview to my parents, as they have always pushed me to grow as a player and to always fight for what I want.
Zayyan, thank you for the interview 🎾
Tennis Papers wishes you all the best in your tennis journey and future tournaments 💜

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