Varvara Gracheva has officially received confirmation of French citizenship and will soon no longer represent her native Russia in professional tennis.
Gracheva has lived in France for the past five years and received notification of her naturalisation as a French citizen on May 25, according to French national news outlet, L'Equipe. However, the 22-year-old will not be able to represent France at tennis events until she receives her passport, which could take several weeks.
Gracheva, who was born in Moscow, also received a letter of recommendation from the French Tennis Federation to confirm her switch in nationality on the tennis stage. The world number 41 began her citizenship application in 2020 before the Russia-Ukraine began in February 2022 and she then completed her files for French naturalisation on March 5, 2023.
Furthermore, once the 22-year-old receives her passport, she will be ranked as a French player. However, she will be second behind current French number one and WTA number five, Caroline Garcia but ahead of Alizé Cornet and Océane Dodin.
Unfortunately for Gracheva, she will have to wait until 2024 to represent herself as a French national at the Roland Garros for the first time. The world number 41 progressed past the first round with a three-set victory over Dalma Galfi before she was eliminated by Sloane Stephens in straight sets in the second round.
Gracheva also entered the women's doubles draw at Roland Garros alongside Russian player Anna Blinkova. Although, the pair were sent out in the first round after a defeat against Ukrainian Marta Kostyuk and Romanian player Elena-Gabriela Ruse.
The past 12 months have been hectic for the young player as she has entered an incredible 35 tournaments over that period of time. Only three other women's players have played in more competitions than Gracheva in the last 12 months, Reka Luca Jani (38), Carole Monnet (38), and Sapfo Sakellaridi.
0 Comments