From War-torn Ukraine to the US Open, the Amazing Story of Anastasiia Sobolieva

story and photos by Jonathan Oe

At the 2024 US Open Qualifying Event, there was a 20 year old girl who came from a city in the embattled Ukraine countryside. The apartment building next to her family's was hit by a bomb and her neighbors were killed. In her desperation her parents asked a tennis hero from their town to take her away from the war and train her to be a champion. The two fled over the border to Slovakia, where he could train her, and help her develop the mental toughness to move forward and compete. Together, they traveled by car throughout Europe to tournaments. Many nights they slept in his car, eating fast food to stretch every Euro as best they could. This courageous young lady began quickly rising through the WTA ranks...

In 2024 She qualified to play in Wimbledon. She had only played on clay courts her entire life. She flew to England and for the first time, she played on a grass surface. She lost her opening match 6-4, 6-4. Terribly disappointed, she didn't understand the enormous step she had just taken.

And then she qualified for the US Open. She had never flown across the Atlanitc. For the first time in her life, she stepped onto a hard court, in the first round of the US Open Qualifying Tournament. Everything was so new. There were so many people. Her opponent was strong. Between points she wiped away the tears and fought through her fear. She desperately needed to win. For her family back home. For her Coach who had given her his heart and soul and supported them. The pressure was overwhelming. In her mind, she felt she couldn't do anything right. But as the match went on, people began to gather. They had no idea WHO she was. But she was capturing their hearts. Through her tears and her fears, she battled. She drove the ball with stunning powerful forehands and backhands deep into the corners, constantly pushing for winners, not rally shots. She showed an array of shot-making skills and served up the ball at 100 mph+. Her fearless style of play was electric. In the end, she lost 6-4, 6-4. But in a span of 90 minutes, she knew that she belonged. 

Her name is Anastasiia Sobolieva. She is the first female tennis player LEORÊVER has ever sponsored. It was an unforgetable experience to witness her first event ever in the US and take these photos. Welcome to the LEORÊVER Family. LET'S GO!!

To Be Continued....