Kamilla Rakhimova has emerged as one of the most intriguing players on the WTA Tour, combining strong baseline tennis, movement and competitive resilience. The Uzbekistani player has steadily built her career through the ITF and WTA circuits and has produced several notable performances at Grand Slam tournaments.
At the 2026 US Open, Rakhimova reached the third round before facing a major challenge against defending champion and world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka at Louis Armstrong Stadium.
Who is Kamilla Rakhimova?
Kamilla Rakhimova was born on August 28, 2001, in Yekaterinburg, Russia. The 25-year-old represents Uzbekistan on the WTA Tour and began playing tennis at the age of five.
A right-handed player who uses a two-handed backhand, Rakhimova has developed a game based on consistency, court coverage and aggressive baseline play. Her ability to stay competitive in long rallies has helped her become a difficult opponent, particularly on hard courts.
She turned professional in 2016 and initially made her name on the ITF Circuit before progressing into WTA-level competition.
Kamilla Rakhimova ranking
Rakhimova was ranked No. 87 in the WTA singles rankings as of August 31, 2026. Her career-high singles ranking is No. 60, which she achieved on December 30, 2024.
Her ranking journey has included several fluctuations. She began 2026 at No. 55 and reached No. 53 in February before moving down the rankings during the spring and summer.
Her rise to a career-best ranking followed a strong 2024 season that included her first two WTA 125 singles titles, in Guadalajara and Angers.
Rakhimova’s US Open 2026 campaign
Rakhimova entered the 2026 US Open looking to make another deep Grand Slam run.
She defeated Oksana Selekhmeteva 6-3, 6-0 in the second round, booking her place in the third round. That victory set up a blockbuster meeting with Sabalenka.
The matchup presented a significant challenge because Sabalenka entered the contest as the world No. 1 and defending US Open champion.
Sabalenka ultimately won the third-round match 6-3, 6-4. The statistics showed the difference in serving and returning efficiency. Sabalenka hit 10 aces compared with Rakhimova’s two and won 76% of her first-serve points.
Rakhimova still produced some positive numbers, including saving five of seven break points, but she struggled to create opportunities on Sabalenka’s serve.
Kamilla Rakhimova vs Aryna Sabalenka
The 2026 US Open meeting was not the first time Rakhimova and Sabalenka had faced each other.
Their previous encounters included meetings at the French Open in 2025 and Washington, D.C., in 2024. Sabalenka won both of those matches as well.
That head-to-head record demonstrates just how difficult the matchup has been for Rakhimova. Nevertheless, repeatedly reaching the later rounds of major tournaments has given the Uzbekistani player valuable experience against elite opponents.
Kamilla Rakhimova and Jasmine Paolini
One of the biggest victories of Rakhimova’s career came against Jasmine Paolini at Wimbledon in 2025.
Rakhimova defeated the then-world No. 5 Jasmine Paolini to reach the third round. It was particularly significant because it marked Rakhimova’s first career victory over a Top 10 opponent.
The win highlighted the level of tennis Rakhimova can produce when she is able to maintain her consistency and pressure from the baseline.
For Jasmine Paolini, the defeat was a reminder of the challenges presented by lower-ranked players who can produce high-level tennis on the Grand Slam stage.
Rakhimova’s Grand Slam record and career highlights
Rakhimova first attracted major attention at the 2020 French Open. After coming through qualifying, she recorded her first Grand Slam main-draw victory by defeating Shelby Rogers.
She also made a breakthrough at the 2021 US Open. Entering as a qualifier, Rakhimova advanced to the third round, establishing herself as a player capable of making an impact at major tournaments.
Her career continued to develop in 2024. She won the Guadalajara WTA 125 title and later captured another WTA 125 trophy in Angers. Those results helped her reach the Top 60 for the first time.
She has also reached the third round at the French Open, Wimbledon and US Open, demonstrating her ability to compete across different Grand Slam surfaces.
Doubles success
Rakhimova’s accomplishments extend beyond singles.
She has won four WTA-level doubles titles and has also developed a strong reputation as a doubles competitor. Her doubles career-high ranking has reached No. 51.
In 2026, she added another doubles title in Cluj-Napoca alongside Su Jeong Jang.
Her success in both singles and doubles demonstrates her versatility and ability to adapt her game to different tactical situations.
Kamilla Rakhimova prize money
According to the supplied tournament profile information, Rakhimova has earned approximately $3.8 million in career prize money from professional tennis.
Her reported earnings for 2026 were listed separately at approximately $779,463, reflecting her growing presence in major WTA and Grand Slam events.
Who coaches Kamilla Rakhimova?
Rakhimova’s coach is listed as Yulia Pilchikova. Her development has included a lengthy progression from the ITF Circuit to becoming a regular competitor at WTA-level tournaments.
That gradual development has been an important part of Rakhimova’s rise and has helped her establish herself as a consistent threat outside the very top of the rankings.
What makes Rakhimova dangerous?
Rakhimova’s biggest strengths are her movement, consistency and ability to compete from the baseline. Rather than depending exclusively on raw power, she looks to extend rallies, move opponents around the court and capitalize on openings.
Her victory over Jasmine Paolini is a clear example of her ability to defeat elite competition. Her repeated Grand Slam appearances also suggest that she has developed the mental toughness required to perform on the biggest stages.
The bigger picture for Rakhimova
The loss to Sabalenka at the 2026 US Open ended another promising Grand Slam campaign, but Rakhimova’s progress remains noteworthy.
At 25, she has already reached a career-high singles ranking of No. 60, collected WTA 125 titles, won multiple doubles trophies and defeated a Top 10 opponent in Jasmine Paolini.
Her next objective will be to turn those individual breakthroughs into greater consistency throughout the season. If she can continue improving her ranking and produce more wins against higher-ranked opponents, Rakhimova has the potential to establish herself as a regular presence in the later stages of major WTA tournaments.
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