Elina Avanesyan, currently ranked
58th in women's singles by the WTA, has been given
Armenian citizenship and will play under its flag at the
forthcoming Cincinnati Open, Ohio
and US Open in New York. Born to
Armenian parents, Avanesyan, 21, has long-standing links with
Armenia and its culture, including
winning her first junior tournament in the country.
VALENCIA, Spain, Aug. 5, 2024
/PRNewswire/ -- Elina Avanesyan, a
rising star of tennis currently ranked 58th in the WTA
rankings, will represent Armenia
at this year's Cincinnati Open and US Open after being granted
citizenship.
The 21-year-old said she was "extremely proud to represent the
Armenian flag" at the tournament and hoped to bring "significant
success in the world of tennis" to her ancestral homeland.
Born in Pyatigorsk, Russia, to
Armenian parents originally from the Artsakh/Nagorno-Karabakh
region, Avanesyan has strong and long-standing links to her
cultural heritage. Her childhood was heavily focused around
Armenian traditions, and she made several trips to her family's
homeland. Avanesyan also secured her first tournament victory in
junior tennis in Yerevan, the
country's capital.
"We are immensely proud to welcome Elina
Avanesyan as a citizen of Armenia. Her decision to represent our nation
at the Cincinnati Open and US Open is a testament to her dedication
and love for her heritage. Elina's commitment to achieving great
results as an Armenian athlete will undoubtedly inspire our youth
and elevate the status of tennis in Armenia. We look forward to witnessing her
success and the positive impact she will have on our sports
community," said Zhanna Andreasyan,
Minister of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports.
"I am extremely proud to represent the Armenian flag at the
Cincinnati Open and US Open," said Avanesyan. "It is an
extraordinary opportunity and a tribute to my roots, my family, and
my community, who have always supported me. I would also like to
extend my gratitude to the Keron Development Foundation for
supporting throughout this process."
"I aim to achieve great results as an Armenian athlete and have
ambitious goals to bring the country significant success in the
world of tennis over the coming years."
Avanesyan hopes to become a role model for young Armenian
athletes. "I dream of being an inspiration for Armenian citizens,
especially amongst younger generations," she said.
"I want to be a role model for aspiring athletes and encourage
young people to take up sport. My goal is to strengthen tennis in
Armenia and ignite a passion in a
new generation of athletes."
Reflecting on her own experiences, she added: "I started playing
tennis on a municipal court in a small city, supported by my
community, and lived the incredible dream of becoming a
professional tennis player. I hope that promising Armenian athletes
can experience and be supported in the same way."
Avanesyan is optimistic about her chances at this year's
upcoming tournaments, which begin from August 11.
Earlier this year, Avanesyan got to the fourth round of the
French Open for the second year running, losing to the eventual
finalist Jasmine Paolini.
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