Years ago, before Yuliia Starodubtseva surged to the final of the Credit One Charleston Open, she got her start in pro tennis through UTR Pro Tennis Tour events.
Starodubtseva (UTR Rating 12.29) played Division-I collegiate tennis at Old Dominion University. But after college, she didn’t have a high enough ranking to get into some pro tennis events
As she said recently, “I just only had my UTR [Rating].”
Yuliia Starodubtseva (current WTA #89, live ranking #53) got her pro career started on the UTR Pro Tennis Tour 🎾 Now she’s in the final of the WTA 500 in Charleston 🏆 https://t.co/B4sIRbU25v
— UTR Sports (@UTR_Sports_) April 5, 2026
But the gold standard rating for tennis throughout the world was more than enough to kickstart Starodubtseva's pro career. She got started playing–and winning–UTR Pro Tennis Tour $25K events in the U.S.
Now the Ukrainian has reached a career-high of No. 53 in the WTA rankings and is eyeing even more in 2026.
“Honestly, I feel very lucky to be here,” she told the Tennis Channel after making the Charleston final. “First of all, thank you everybody who was with me from the beginning of this when maybe, I was not no one, but not much."
Starodubtseva, like thousands of aspiring pro tennis players, gravitated toward the innovative format of the UTR PTT, which delivers guaranteed matches and substantial prize money throughout more than 400 events in 30 countries globally.
Register now: View and find UTR PTT events near you
Rising tennis players come back to the UTR PTT again and again for the opportunity to improve their games and get match-tough, a vital ingredient for all climbs to the top of the pro tennis world.
Players also compete year-round to earn more through the UTR PTT Tour Card Points Race, which rewards players for participation and performance. Learn more about the UTR PTT Tour Card here.
After college, Starodubtseva moved to New York and coached on green clay, the same surface she slid on in Charleston.
Friends saw her talent and started a GoFundMe to help her pro tennis journey. She also began competing at UTR PTT events.
A little more than three years ago, in January 2023, Starodubtseva finished second in a UTR PTT event in Boca Raton. Later that month, in Atlanta, she rebounded and beat McCartney Kessler (UTR 12. 32) for her first UTR PTT title.
“I went to play some UTRs because I couldn't get into ITFs with my ranking. I had no national ranking, no international ranking. It was hard. I just only had my UTR, which is, like, was good, but I couldn't get in anywhere,” she said. “And then [it] kind of went pretty well from there.”
What a week for Yuliia Starodubtseva 🔥#CharlestonOpen pic.twitter.com/G2AeXqTs6n
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) April 5, 2026
Starodubtseva also beat Kessler in the Charleston quarterfinals, before knocking out fifth seed and 2025 Australian Open champion Madison Keys (UTR 12.61) in straight sets to make the final. There, Starodubtseva lost to top seed Jessica Pegula (UTR 13.05).
Now, after the best week of her young professional career, Starodubtseva will prepare for the European clay-court season.
Throughout the world this week on the UTR PTT, rising players will be competing for prize money and looking to climb the pro tennis ladder, just like Starodubtseva has done.
Her inspiring story begs the question: Who will be the next Yuliia Starodubtseva?
View complete UTR Pro Tennis Tour calendar
Upgrade to Annual Power & Travel Smarter
Annual Power now includes complimentary access to Global Privileges Plus — a premium travel benefit package valued at over $250 per year.
Save up to 60% at 1.4 million hotels worldwide, plus receive $100 in travel credits and additional exclusive perks. For most players, just one or two trips can cover the full cost of an Annual Power upgrade.