Mayar Sherif was born on May 5, 1996, in Cairo, Egypt. She grew up in a family of athletes, with her mother and father both playing squash at a high level. Sherif was introduced to tennis at the age of six and began playing competitively soon after
Early Life and Tennis Beginnings.
Mayar Sherif’s parents recognized her talent and passion for the sport and encouraged her to pursue it. They enrolled her in a tennis academy in Cairo, where she trained for several years. Sherif also received support and guidance from the Egyptian Tennis Federation, which helped her develop her skills and compete in national and international tournaments.
Rise in the ITF Circuit
In 2015, at the age of 19, Sherif turned professional and began playing in the International Tennis Federation (ITF) circuit. She started at the lower levels and worked her way up, competing in various tournaments around the world.
Mayar Sherif quickly made a name for herself in the ITF circuit, winning her first singles title in 2017 at the $15k ITF event in El Kantaoui, Tunisia. She continued to achieve success, winning multiple ITF titles in both singles and doubles and climbing up the world rankings.
Sherif’s breakthrough year came in 2019 when she won three ITF singles titles and reached the final of another. She also reached a career-high singles ranking of world No. 167 in November of that year.
Grand Slam Debut at the US Open
In 2020, Sherif made history by becoming the first Egyptian woman to win a main-draw match at a Grand Slam event. She received a wildcard entry into the US Open and faced French player Chloe Paquet in the first round. Sherif won the match in straight sets, 7-5, 7-5, and advanced to the second round.
Sherif’s performance at the US Open was impressive, and she gained recognition for her aggressive baseline game and mental toughness on the court. Although she lost in the second round to eventual quarterfinalist Tsvetana Pironkova, Sherif’s debut at a Grand Slam event was a major accomplishment for her and for Egyptian tennis.
Representing Egypt in the Fed Cup and Olympics
Mayar Sherif has been a regular member of the Egyptian Fed Cup team since 2016. She has represented her country in several Fed Cup competitions and has helped Egypt win multiple ties. In 2021, Sherif played a crucial role in Egypt’s promotion to Group II of the Fed Cup, winning all four of her singles matches in the competition.
Sherif also represented Egypt at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, where she competed in both the women’s singles and doubles tournaments. In the singles event, she defeated Romanian player Ana Bogdan in the first round before losing to world No. 10 and eventual bronze medalist Elina Svitolina in the second round. In the doubles event, Sherif and her partner, Sandra Samir, reached the second round before losing to the fourth-seeded Czech team of Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova.
Playing Style and Career Achievements
Mayar Sherif is known for her aggressive baseline game, powerful groundstrokes, and strong mental attitude on the court. She is comfortable playing on all surfaces and has the ability to dictate play with her forehand and backhand shots.
With her success on the ITF circuit and at Grand Slam events, Sherif has achieved several other career milestones
Sherif’s best performances in 2021 include reaching the quarterfinals of the WTA 125K tournament in Guadalajara, Mexico, and the third round of the Miami Open.
Sherif’s achievements have also earned her recognition and support from the Egyptian tennis community and beyond. She has become a role model for young tennis players in Egypt and has inspired many to pursue their dreams of playing at the professional level.
Off the court, Sherif is also involved in several charitable activities and social initiatives. She is an ambassador for the Special Olympics and has worked with several organizations to promote sports and physical activity among children and youth in Egypt.
Looking to the Future
As of May 2, 2023, Sherif is continuing to compete on the WTA tour and is aiming to reach even higher in the rankings. She has set her sights on competing in more Grand Slam events and representing Egypt at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Mayar Sherif’s success on the court has also helped raise the profile of tennis in Egypt and the wider Middle East region. She is part of a new generation of tennis players who are breaking barriers and paving the way for more diversity and inclusivity in the sport.
In conclusion,
Mayar Sherifis a talented and determined tennis player who has achieved significant success on the ITF circuit and at Grand Slam events. Her historic debut at the US Open and her strong performances in the Fed Cup and Olympics have made her a trailblazer for Egyptian tennis and a role model for aspiring athletes. Sherif’s future in the sport looks bright, and she is sure to continue making waves both on and off the court.