21-year-old Armenian Tennis player Elina Avanesyan, currently ranked 78th in the WTA rankings, has begun the process of changing her sporting citizenship from Russia to Armenia to compete under the Armenian flag.
“I officially announce that very soon tennis player Elina Avanesyan will compete for Armenia and represent our flag,” announced Karen Giloyan, Armenia’s Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture, and Sports in an interview.
He added, “Elina Avanesyan will compete under the Armenian flag, but there is nothing official yet. We are waiting for her to get the citizenship of the Republic of Armenia so that everything will be official.”
This decision marks a pivotal moment in Avanesyan’s career. Previously, she competed for Russia in international tournaments, achieving numerous successes, including several notable victories on the WTA tour. Switching to represent Armenia opens new challenges and opportunities for her and is expected to significantly boost the development of tennis within Armenia.
Avanesyan recently showcased her skill at the Roland Garros Grand Slam, where she advanced to the round of 16 before being edged out in a closely contested three-set match by Italy’s Jasmine Paolini, who is ranked 7th in the WTA.
Deputy Minister Giloyan affirmed that the Ministry will provide Avanesyan with all the necessary support as she adjusts to the new conditions and prepares for future competitions. He expressed confidence that her achievements and dedication would inspire Armenia’s youth.
