For most players, a trip to the Charleston Open is a calculated step in a season’s progression. But for Yuliia Starodubtseva, the journey to the Lowcountry was less about a calculated plan and more about a search for stability. Entering the tournament as a qualifier—only sliding into the main draw following a withdrawal—the Ukrainian World No. 89 arrived without the weight of high expectations, but with a burning need to prove that her “ceiling” was within reach.
Now, Starodubtseva finds herself in the spotlight, having surged through the bracket to reach her first career WTA Tour Driven by Mercedes-Benz final. It is a breakthrough that feels like a culmination of a winding, unconventional path to professional tennis—one that took her through the American collegiate system and a year spent teaching clinics at a New York country club. Standing between her and the title is the defending champion, Jessica Pegula, in a matchup that pits a seasoned powerhouse against a rising star who spent her recent past coaching the remarkably game she is now dominating.
The run in Charleston has been as much a mental victory as a physical one. After a volatile start to 2025, Starodubtseva admitted her confidence had wavered. Speaking after her quarterfinal victory over McCartney Kessler, she described a struggle to maintain a consistent level of play. “I couldn’t like maybe find a steady line where I like stay and maybe play the same level,” she said. “The biggest thing I’ve been working on is to bring up my floor, as I feel like my ceiling is there. I can reach my ceiling, but I need my floor to be higher, and I feel I’m doing better with that.”
The Collegiate Bridge: From Ukraine to Norfolk
While many top-tier talents transition directly from the junior circuit to the pro tour, Starodubtseva’s path was dictated by pragmatism. At 17, the financial hurdles of professional tennis were too steep to climb alone. Seeking a way to continue competing while securing her education, she looked toward the United States, eventually landing at Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia.
The decision was driven by a need for community and support. Starodubtseva noted that she chose Old Dominion not only for the resources and the full scholarship—which covered her food and accommodations—but because four other Ukrainian players were already on the team. For a teenager moving to a new country with limited English, that built-in support system was essential.
Her time in Norfolk was nothing short of dominant. By the spring of 2022, Starodubtseva had become a force in collegiate tennis, posting a staggering 22-1 record in singles matches. In a twist of sporting fate, her only defeat that season came in a three-set thriller against McCartney Kessler, who was then competing for the University of Florida. It is a rivalry that has followed her into the professional ranks, as she recently overcame Kessler once again to secure her spot in the Charleston final.
The ‘Inside Joke’ of Green Clay
Even after graduating in 2022, the professional tour remained just out of reach. Instead of the WTA circuit, Starodubtseva spent a year in Westchester, New York, working as a coach at the Westchester Country Club. It was a period of humility and hard work, where she spent up to 10 hours a day leading clinics for men, women, and children.
While she played UTR (Universal Tennis Rating) tournaments to maintain her competitive edge, her primary role was that of an instructor. Though, the environment provided an unexpected advantage. The club features 15 green clay courts—the same surface used at the Charleston Open. Starodubtseva now jokes that her comfort on the surface is a direct result of her time spent coaching on it.
“There is an inside joke that I’m so comfortable on green clay because I coached it for a year,” Starodubtseva said.
The transition from coach to competitor was a gradual bridge. During that year in New York, she continued to face familiar foes, including Kessler, whom she defeated in a UTR final. The full-circle nature of her journey was on display during her recent quarterfinal win, as her former boss from the Westchester Country Club traveled to South Carolina to watch her compete on the world stage.
A Partnership of Trust and High Standards
Behind every breakthrough is a support system, and for Starodubtseva, that system is deeply personal. Her primary coach is her boyfriend, Pearse Dolan. The two met at Old Dominion University, where Dolan competed on the men’s tennis team. For the past year and a half, Dolan, an Australian native, has guided her transition into the top 100 of the WTA rankings.
Recently, the team expanded to include Eric Hechtman, a veteran coach known for his work with high-profile players such as Venus Williams and Peyton Stearns. Currently in a “trial” period, Hechtman provides a seasoned perspective to supplement Dolan’s intimate knowledge of her game.
Having been a coach herself, Starodubtseva admits she is a demanding pupil. She doesn’t shy away from the fact that her own experience in the industry makes her more critical of the guidance she receives. “I feel like I’m a great coach. So I have high standards,” she laughed. “It makes it harder, but I feel like I have a good team right now. And I have people that listen to me, and I listen to them, and it’s working.”
Yuliia Starodubtseva: Career Path Summary
| Period | Role/Stage | Key Milestone |
|---|---|---|
| 2018–2022 | Student-Athlete (ODU) | Posted a 22-1 singles record in Spring 2022 |
| 2022–2023 | Tennis Coach (NY) | Coached on green clay at Westchester Country Club |
| 2023–2025 | Professional Player | Climbed to World No. 89. reached first WTA final |
As she prepares to face Jessica Pegula, Starodubtseva represents a growing trend of players utilizing the American college system to build the financial and emotional maturity required for the pro tour. Her story is not one of immediate stardom, but of persistence—of a player who was willing to teach the game to others while she waited for her own moment to shine.
The final will serve as the definitive test of whether Starodubtseva has finally raised her “floor” to match her “ceiling.” All eyes will be on the Lowcountry to see if the former country club coach can claim her first major title.
What do you reckon of Starodubtseva’s unconventional path to the final? Share your thoughts in the comments below or share this story on social media.
