As an athlete who spent time within the US college tennis system, Diana Shnaider, surprisingly, was unfamiliar with the term “sophomore slump”.
It’s used in both academic and sporting contexts; the former to describe a situation where students struggle in their second year of university, and the latter to describe the difficulties a player faces in backing up results earned during a breakout or debut season.
This year, Shnaider will attempt to match, or even better, a memorable 2024 season during which she won four WTA titles and rose to world No.12.
It was the reason the sophomore slump concept was put to her on this week’s episode of The Sit-Down podcast.
“I never heard of it on the pro tour. I mean, I know what sophomore [is] and whatever. But that’s a good one to know,” replied Shnaider, who this time last year was ranked outside the top 100.
“I feel like of course it’s more pressure, and I mean, a lot of players already know me, so they kind of already have a perspective for and know how to play against me, so what I am doing on the court, so I feel like it’s definitely some tougher matches.
“Outside people of course expect some great results because I’m a seeded player, I’m a top player, so yeah, for me I feel like it’s going to be maybe a tough year.
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“But also will try my best to manage that kind of pressure, and of course my goal is to stay on the top, so if I wanted to stay on the top for a long career, this is where I should [be] working right now, so it’s time to work this year.”
The early signs in 2025 are that Shnaider is not slowing down.
LISTEN: Diana Shnaider on The Sit-Down
The 20-year-old lefty just posted her best Australian Open result by reaching the third round, where she very nearly beat Donna Vekic in a thriller. That was just one week after she reached the quarterfinals of the Adelaide International.
She’s been even stronger in doubles, pairing with Mirra Andreeva to win the Brisbane International title before reaching the AO semifinals.
Silver medallists together at the Paris 2024 games, Andreeva and Shnaider avenged their Olympic gold medal match defeat to Italians Sara Errani and Jasmine Paolini on their way to what was a first Grand Slam doubles semifinal for both.
That Olympic medal was a 2024 highlight for Shnaider, as was her singles title in Bad Homburg, because she was unaware she could be that successful on grass.
She ultimately won 55 singles matches last year and titles on all three surfaces, and also upset then-world No.2 Coco Gauff en route to the Toronto semifinals.
But like many a driven rising star before her, she is not content with her current position.
“I feel like there’s a lot I can still improve, like being more patient, or emotion control … and just being more confident on the court and yeah, I mean I can improve my serve,” Shnaider revealed.
“So there is a lot of things that I can still improve, and be much better.
“But I have a lot of years in front of me, so I hope I will use it in the right way.”
Listen to the full episode of The Sit-Down, a weekly podcast released each Monday featuring an in-depth interview with a notable tennis identity. Subscribe to The Sit-Down in your favourite podcast player.