Marina Erakovic

Marina Erakovic is a former professional tennis player from New Zealand who has a career-high singles ranking of World No. 39, reached in May 2012. She also has a career-high rank of Number 2 in doubles. She retired in December 2018.

Player Profile and Personal Life

Marina Erakovic was born on March 6, 1988, in Split, Croatia (then Yugoslavia), and moved with her family to Auckland, New Zealand, at age six. Standing 174 cm tall, Marina Erakovic played right-handed with a two-handed backhand.

She attended St Thomas's Primary School and Glendowie College in Auckland. Erakovic’s multicultural background and journey from Croatia to New Zealand shaped her identity and career, and she is celebrated for her contributions to New Zealand sport.

Junior Career

She reached the final of the 2004 Wimbledon girls’ doubles with Monica Niculescu and won the US Open girls’ doubles title later that year with Michaëlla Krajicek.

This victory made her the first New Zealander since 1993 to win a junior Grand Slam title. In 2005, Erakovic partnered with Victoria Azarenka to win the Australian Open girls’ doubles and was twice a runner-up at Wimbledon juniors. Her junior success paved the way for her professional career.

Career

Marina Erakovic turned professional in 2005 and soon became New Zealand’s top-ranked female player. She won five ITF singles titles early in her career and broke into the world’s top 100 in 2008, reaching the semifinals of the Auckland Open and the third round at Wimbledon—a first for a New Zealander since 1988.

Erakovic’s breakthrough continued with a third-round appearance at the 2013 French Open and a career-high singles ranking of No. 39 in May 2012.

Her greatest professional achievement came in 2013, when she won her only WTA singles title at the Memphis International, becoming the first New Zealander to win a WTA singles title since 1989. In doubles, Marina Erakovic captured eight WTA titles and reached the semifinals at Wimbledon in 2011, as well as quarterfinals at the French Open (2013, 2014) and US Open (2008). She achieved a career-high doubles ranking of No. 25 in 2013.

Erakovic represented New Zealand in the Fed Cup, compiling a 26–12 record (18–7 in singles).

Injuries and setbacks affected her later years, but she remained a respected figure on tour until her retirement in December 2018.

Career Record

Singles

• Career Titles: 1
• Highest Singles Ranking: No. 39 (May 7, 2012)
• Career Record: 367–250

Best Grand Slam Singles Performances

• Australian Open – 2nd Round (2009, 2012, 2014)
• French Open – 3rd Round (2013)
• Wimbledon – 3rd Round (2008, 2013, 2016)
• US Open – 2nd Round (2014)

Doubles

• Career Titles: 8
• Highest Doubles Ranking: No. 25 (June 24, 2013)
• Career Record: 185–143

Best Grand Slam Doubles Performances

• Australian Open – 1st Round (2009–2015)
• French Open – Quarterfinals (2013, 2014)
• Wimbledon – Semifinals (2011)
• US Open – Quarterfinals (2008)

Other Tournaments

• Fed Cup – 26–12 (singles 18–7)