Irina-Cameila Begu is a Romanian professional tennis player who was born on August 26, 1990, in Bucharest, Romania. After starting to play tennis aged just 3, thanks to being introduced to it by her aunt who was an ex-professional player, she had solid foundations from which to springboard into a professional career of her own.
After a few years on the ITF circuit, gaining valuable experience and points, Begu’s time to show her might on the WTA Tour finally came in 2009, when she lost in the first round of the Hungarian Open. The following season was her first taste of a final, reaching the last two at the WTA tournament, the Andalucia Tennis Experience.
2011 was also her time to shine at Grand Slam level, appearing for the first time in the main draw at that season’s French Open and US Open. 2012 brought with it her first title at WTA level, winning the Tashkent Open in Uzbekistan after seeing off Donna Vekic in the final.
As time progressed, so did her tennis, racking up more titles as the years past. This formidable form was also replicated on the doubles side of things, with her causing a storm and winning numerous titles. On the singles side of things, she reached her peak in 2016, when she achieved her career-high ranking of world number 22.
After falling off in the following years, her form in doubles did not. In 2018, she reached the semifinal of the Australian Open, a round that she replicated at the 2021 French Open. In recent years, she has drastically reduced her appearances on tour.
Her talent is still evident, but one cannot help but think that her days at the top are numbered, given her age and lack of playing time.
