Kazakhstan Tennis Federation Denies Leylagina's Dual Citizenship; Muguruza Claims a Thousand Male Players Could Outperform Top Ten Women

Recently, the tennis world has been abuzz over two major issues: first, the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation firmly refuted rumors regarding their top player Leylagina holding dual citizenship; second, former world No.1 and Spanish star Muguruza made candid remarks on the performance gap between male and female players. Together, these events highlight ongoing discussions about identity and gender equality in modern tennis.

In response to comments by Shamil Tarpishev, chairman of the Russian Tennis Federation, implying that Leylagina still maintains ties with Russia, the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation issued a clear statement:

“All remarks made by Tarpishev are false. Leylagina does not reside in Moscow. She is a Kazakhstani citizen holding a Kazakhstani passport and is registered in the capital, Astana. Leylagina herself has repeatedly confirmed this. Claims that she holds ‘Russian citizenship’ or any form of ‘sports nationality’ are untrue — Kazakhstan does not recognize the concept of ‘sports nationality.’”

The statement further emphasized that Leylagina has represented Kazakhstan in all international competitions since 2018 and remains a loyal member of the national team. Although born in Moscow, the 2022 Wimbledon champion accepted training support from the Kazakhstan Tennis Federation in 2018 and has competed for the country ever since.

Sports nationality analyst Kozlova noted, “Leylagina’s situation is not uncommon in modern sports. Many athletes choose to represent other countries due to development opportunities or personal connections. The key is compliance with procedures and clear representation. The Kazakhstan Federation’s statement aims to reinforce her national identity and prevent politicization of sports.”

In response, some netizens commented, “Leylagina brought our country a historic Wimbledon title; her identity is clear — she is Kazakhstani. Russia should respect her decision.” Others said, “Sports nationality is always a sensitive issue. Leylagina’s success may cause regret over ‘talent loss,’ but athletes have the right to choose their own paths.” Another remarked, “What matters is where she competes; sports should transcend political nationality disputes.”

Meanwhile, two-time Grand Slam champion Muguruza openly shared her observations on the strength differences between male and female tennis players during an interview:

“Men’s advantage isn’t just about power; it includes stamina, muscle, and more. When I play against my male hitting partners, I’ve never won a set — and they are not professional players.”

She elaborated, “Male players ranked around 1000 or even unranked might be far stronger than the top ten WTA players. At my peak as world No.1, I was even beaten by junior players.”

This is not the first time a top female player has acknowledged such differences, but her frankness and specifics sparked widespread discussion.

Exercise physiology expert Professor Derek Hansen explained, “Muguruza’s description aligns with physiological research. Men generally have advantages in muscle mass, bone density, and cardiopulmonary function, which translate into performance differences, even outside elite comparisons. However, this does not diminish the competitive value of women’s tennis; fundamentally, they are different competition categories.”

Notably, American star Serena Williams also expressed on a talk show the differences between men’s and women’s tennis, saying, “Andy Murray could beat me 6-0, 6-0 in ten minutes... Men’s and women’s tennis are two different sports. I still enjoy playing with female players...”

Still, some netizens offered alternative views, stating, “Muguruza’s facts are true, but women’s tennis has its unique tactical beauty and competitive charm beyond pure power.” Others remarked, “Acknowledging physiological differences is scientific, but the focus should be on ensuring women’s events receive equal attention, resources, and respect.”

As professional tennis continues to evolve, objectively understanding the distinct features and appeal of men’s and women’s events will be key to the sport’s ongoing prosperity. What are your thoughts? Feel free to share them in the comments below.(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Lu Xiaotian)