With new coach Dinara Safina, Diana Shnaider makes mental strides in Madrid

Standing out amid a cadre of rising stars, Diana Shnaider enjoyed a breakout season in 2024. Shnaider is easily spotted thanks to her collection of stylish bandanas, and after making her Top 12 debut last fall, the 21-year-old is learning to manage expectations as she fends off a potential sophomore slump.

“I had higher expectations for myself, and the people around me also had high expectations because I have a higher rank right now and won four titles last year,” Shnaider explained ahead of a fourth-round clash with world No. 2 Iga Swiatek at the Mutua Madrid Open. “I was making some great results and was fast rising through the ranks. It was just a little bit tougher mentally coming into tournaments as a favored player to run deep and stuff like that.”

Where to Watch: Iga Swiatek vs. Diana Shnaider Preview

Shnaider initially carried that momentum into 2025, kicking off the year with a run to the Adelaide International quarterfinals, but though she has continued to thrive in doubles alongside fellow youngster Mirra Andreeva—winning two titles including her first WTA 1000 at the Miami Open—her singles results stalled and she began looking for a change.

That change came in the form of new coach Dinara Safina, a former world No. 1 making a welcome return to tour alongside brother Marat Safin, who has begun coaching countryman Andrey Rublev.

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“I started working with Dinara and we’re doing a lot of work to controlling the negative emotions,” Shnaider said on Saturday. “She’s helping me a lot with that, and she can see when I’m struggling with my emotions. She’s like, ‘It’s ok. Take your time. Take a towel, use your 30 seconds, don’t rush. Just control it and think about the next point,’ or, ‘If you made a mistake and it was a very easy one, just think about the ball, what you did wrong, and what you need to do better to not make the same mistake the next time.’”

The work already appears to be paying off in Madrid: the No. 13 seed has dropped just three games in two matches, dropping a 6-0, 6-0 score on Anastasija Sevastova to reach the fourth round at the Caja Magica.

I started working with Dinara and we’re doing a lot of work to controlling the negative emotions...she can see when I’m struggling with my emotions. She’s like, ‘It’s ok. Take your time. Take a towel, use your 30 seconds, don’t rush. Just control it and think about the next point,’ or, ‘If you made a mistake and it was a very easy one, just think about the ball, what you did wrong, and what you need to do better to not make the same mistake the next time.’ Diana Shnaider on new coach Dinara Safina

“I was stepping on the court today with the mentality that I need to be very focused. It was a tricky opponent,” said Shnaider. “She beat Ostapenko before and Pavlyuchenkova. So, I was like, ‘You need to stay focused and not let your emotions take control or make too many unforced errors. Just return the ball, make her move, run into the court and step in if you see a short ball.’

“It’s my first time being in the fourth round in Madrid. It’s my second time playing this tournament at all,” she added. “I’m enjoying the food, the crowd; they’re cheering for me and supporting me. So, I’m excited for the next round. I hope it’s going to be on Center Court; it’s going to be my first time playing here on Center Court.”

Shnaider’s wish will likely come true on Tuesday. After a power outage cancelled her match on Monday, she is scheduled to face defending champion Iga Swiatek for the first time on Manolo Santana Stadium.

Despite the high-pressure scenario, the former NC State standout plans to powwow with Safina ahead of only her second match against a Top 5 player.

“We’ve been talking a lot with Dinara about it, how things are tougher,” said Shnaider. “But I will try my best to get those thoughts away, focus more on my game and what I need to improve with my tennis and my mentality.

“If I focus more just on my game and how to improve, the results will come by itself. I’ll try my best to work hard and play well at tournaments.”