Donna Vekić is a Croatian professional tennis player known for her impressive achievements on the WTA tour. Born to professional athletes, Vekić has made a name for herself through determination, skill, and resilience. She reached her career-high singles ranking of World No. 19 on November 4, 2019, and has won four WTA tournaments out of eleven finals played.
How Did Her Career Begin?
Vekić’s career started on a high note when she reached her first WTA career final at the 2012 Tashkent Open, becoming the youngest finalist since 15-year-old Tamira Paszek in 2005. Her breakthrough year was 2014, when she claimed her maiden WTA title in Kuala Lumpur, defeating top players like Dominika Cibulková.
What Are Her Major Achievements?
Vekić’s career is highlighted by several significant accomplishments:
- 2014: Won her first WTA title in Kuala Lumpur.
- 2017: Won the Nottingham Open, her second WTA title, defeating No. 8 Johanna Konta.
- 2018: Achieved her first top-40 year, ending the season ranked No. 34.
- 2019: Reached the quarterfinals of the US Open, marking her best Grand Slam performance at that time.
- 2021: Won her third WTA title in Courmayeur.
- 2023: Reached the quarterfinals at the Australian Open and won her fourth WTA title in Monterrey.
What Are Her Best Grand Slam Performances?
Donna Vekić’s best Grand Slam results include reaching the quarterfinals at the US Open in 2019 and the Australian Open in 2023. She has consistently performed well, reaching at least the round of 16 at every Major.
How Did She Overcome Challenges?
Despite facing a serious physical problem in 2020, Vekić showed remarkable resilience. In 2021, she won her third WTA title in Courmayeur. She also battled through qualifiers to make a strong comeback in 2022 and 2023, reaching significant milestones and securing victories against top players.
What Is Her Private Life Like?
Donna Vekić founded a luxury home fragrance brand, DNNA, in 2021, offering beeswax candles and reed diffusers. She has pledged a portion of the brand’s revenue to bee conservation efforts in Croatia. Vekić was previously in a relationship with fellow tennis player Stan Wawrinka, and rumors of a romance with Thanasi Kokkinakis circulated between 2022 and 2023, though she is currently believed to be single.
What Is Her Net Worth and Endorsements?
Donna Vekić’s net worth is estimated to be around $5 million, with an annual income of approximately $300,000. Her career prize money totals $5,536,900. In addition to her earnings from tennis, her luxury fragrance brand contributes to her wealth.
What Are Her Future Prospects?
With a strong start to 2023, including her first quarterfinal appearance at the Australian Open and a title win in Monterrey, Donna Vekić continues to be a formidable presence on the WTA tour. Her resilience and ability to bounce back from setbacks suggest a promising future in tennis.
Donna Vekić’s journey is a testament to her talent, determination, and entrepreneurial spirit. From winning WTA titles to launching a successful business, she continues to make her mark both on and off the court.