Armenia’s Tennis Stars Elina Avanesyan and Alina Charaeva Hit the Court With 200 Young Players in Tsaghkadzor

Armenian tennis players Elina Avanesyan and Alina Charaeva took to the court with about 200 children and young athletes in Tsaghkadzor on Sept. 5, offering them a chance to train alongside two of the country’s leading women’s players.

The masterclass at the Tsaghkadzor Main Sports Complex was organized by the Keron Development Foundation and the Armenian Tennis Federation. Participants traveled from Yerevan and other parts of Armenia for training sessions, games and competitions with the two professional players.

Avanesyan, Armenia’s top-ranked women’s player, has represented the country internationally since receiving Armenian citizenship in 2024. This year, she made her debut with Armenia’s women’s national team at the Billie Jean King Cup, helping the team earn promotion to Group II for the first time in 16 years.

Charaeva joined Armenia’s growing women’s tennis program this summer. She received Armenian citizenship in July with support from the Keron Development Foundation and the Armenian Tennis Federation and has since begun competing internationally under the Armenian flag.

For many of the young players in Tsaghkadzor, the event offered something rarely available in Armenia: time on the court with athletes competing on the international professional circuit.

Avanesyan and Charaeva trained with the participants, answered questions and spoke about the demands of professional tennis, from setbacks and injuries to competing on the international stage.

“It is a great joy for me to return to Armenia and share my experience,” Avanesyan said. “I hope these meetings will motivate children and inspire them to pursue their biggest goals.”

Charaeva, who is beginning her first season representing Armenia, said competing for the country marks an important new stage in her career.

“It is a great honor for me to compete internationally under the Armenian flag,” Charaeva said. “I am looking forward to this new chapter and everything it will bring.”

Members of the Dzerqd Tur NGO also joined the event, including older tennis enthusiasts who took part alongside the younger players.

Vanane Ararktsyan, executive director of the Keron Development Foundation; Vardan Zakaryan, president of the Armenian Tennis Federation; and Aghavni Dilanyan, deputy CEO of Nairi Insurance, opened the event. Nairi Insurance was the main partner supporting the players’ visit to Armenia.

The day ended with an exhibition match between Avanesyan and Charaeva, bringing two internationally ranked women’s players onto the same court in Armenia and giving local fans a rare opportunity to watch professional-level women’s tennis in person.

The event comes as Armenia seeks to build a stronger presence in international women’s tennis. Both Avanesyan and Charaeva have said they hope to represent Armenia at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.

The Keron Development Foundation, which lists sport among its five areas of focus, has supported both players as part of its efforts to develop Armenian tennis and create more opportunities for young athletes.

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