Under the roof of Court No. 1 on the evening of 1/7, Yastremska delivered a remarkable 7-6, 6-1 upset against world No. 2 Gauff, fresh off her recent French Open title. This marked Yastremska's first victory over Gauff, propelling the world No. 42 to a second-round match against Anatasia Zakharova. In their three previous encounters, Yastremska had managed to win only one set.

Yastremska (right) and Gauff shake hands after their first-round Wimbledon match on Court No. 1 at the All England Club, London, England on 1/7. Photo: Reuters

Yastremska (right) and Gauff shake hands after their first-round Wimbledon match on Court No. 1 at the All England Club, London, England on 1/7. Photo: Reuters

This win also represents Yastremska's biggest career victory since 2019, when she defeated then-world No. 2 Karolina Pliskova in Wuhan, China.

However, Yastremska's impact extends beyond the tennis court. The 25-year-old's diverse talents, particularly her social media presence as a key opinion leader (KOL), have garnered significant attention.

With her striking looks and glamorous style, Yastremska has attracted over 219,000 followers. Her captivating photos often lead people to mistake her for a professional model.

Yastremska also shares glimpses into her colorful personal life, including lavish celebrations. In May, she marked her 25th birthday with an extravagant party in Monaco, attended by fellow tennis player Marta Kostyuk, judo champion Daria Biloda, and fashion model Daria Stanislavovna.

Her social media showcases her enjoyment of life's pleasures, from posing at the Trevi Fountain in Rome to celebrating her mother's birthday in Dubai, shopping at high-end London boutiques, and relaxing on sunny beaches. From Cannes and Barcelona to Miami, Yastremska's love for travel rivals her passion for tennis.

Yastremska frequently shares glamorous photos on social media. Photo: Instagram / Dayana Yastremska

Yastremska frequently shares glamorous photos on social media. Photo: Instagram / Dayana Yastremska

With nearly USD 5.4 million in career prize money, Yastremska can comfortably pursue her interests, including a passion for music. Performing under the stage name "DY," she has been involved in music for five years. Her debut single, "Thousands of Me," was released in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic. Last year, she released "Hearts" as a tribute to her homeland, Ukraine.

Her homeland is also a source of ongoing pain. Three years ago, Yastremska and her younger sister fled Ukraine for the safety of France. Their father, Oleksandr, drove them over 240 km from Odessa to Izmail, where they tearfully boarded a ship.

"He didn't know when the war would end," Yastremska told ESPN, recalling her father's parting words. "He told us to take care of each other, pursue our dreams, build a new life, and always stay together. 'Don't worry about us,' he said. 'Everything will be alright.'"

Upon arriving in France, Yastremska received a wildcard entry into the 2022 Lyon Open, reaching the final before losing to Zhang Shuai. This was her first final since 2020, a year marked by a significant career setback.

In December 2020, Yastremska was accused of a doping violation after testing positive for mesterolone in late November. The test occurred after the end of her season, while she wasn't even training. Adding to the intrigue, just two weeks prior, on 9/11, she had passed a doping test at the WTA 250 event in Linz, Austria, her last tournament of the year.

In January 2021, the International Tennis Federation (ITF) provisionally suspended Yastremska pending a final decision. She maintained her innocence, vowing to clear her name. However, her appeals to the ITF and the Court of Arbitration for Sport were unsuccessful.

Amid the investigation, German magazine Der Spiegel published a shocking explanation for the positive test, suggesting Yastremska had unknowingly ingested mesterolone through sexual intercourse with her former boyfriend. Other European newspapers reported that the man had used performance-enhancing drugs, which then transferred the substance to Yastremska.

Der Spiegel also reported that Yastremska's father had contacted the ex-boyfriend, urging him to take responsibility, undergo tests, and testify at the ITF hearings.

"I was ready. I had blood tests, wrote a statement. I did everything voluntarily, even though they offered me money," the ex-boyfriend told Der Spiegel, explaining why he ultimately refused to cooperate further. "But then they wanted me to have my hair tested, too. I didn't want that. My point of view is that they can't put all the blame for this doping problem on me."

Yastremska never publicly confirmed this story. On 22/6, the ITF cleared her of "fault or negligence," allowing her immediate return to competition. However, the delayed decision prevented her from participating in Wimbledon 2021.

Four years later, Yastremska arrived at the All England Club ranked 42nd in the world, with six wins in her last eight grass-court matches, including a runner-up finish at the Nottingham Open and a quarterfinal appearance at the Eastbourne Open.

Yastremska celebrates with her team after her first-round Wimbledon victory on Court No. 1 at the All England Club, London, England on 1/7. Photo: Reuters

Yastremska celebrates with her team after her first-round Wimbledon victory on Court No. 1 at the All England Club, London, England on 1/7. Photo: Reuters

Despite her success on grass, Yastremska has a mild allergy to it. "I really enjoy playing on grass, even though I have a bit of a reaction to it," she said at the Nottingham Open.

Despite this discomfort, Yastremska achieved a significant upset against Gauff. This victory adds another chapter to the story of this multi-talented athlete, a social media influencer, and an inspiration to many.

Vy Anh