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Malaika Rapolu

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Malaika Rapolu
Country (sports) United States
Born (2003-04-18) April 18, 2003 (age 21)
Cedar Park, Texas, U.S.
PlaysRight-handed (two-handed backhand)
CollegeTexas
Prize moneyUS$ 20,085
Singles
Career record59–32
Highest rankingNo. 564 (November 18, 2024)
Current rankingNo. 564 (November 18, 2024)
Doubles
Career record20–15
Highest rankingNo. 976 (November 18, 2024)
Current rankingNo. 855 (June 26, 2023)
Last updated on: November 18, 2024.

Malaika Rapolu (born April 18, 2003) is an American professional tennis player. She has career-high rankings of No. 564 in singles, achieved on November 18, 2024, and of No. 855 in doubles, achieved on June 26, 2023.

Early life

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Rapolu was born in Cedar Park, Texas.[1][2] She began playing tennis at the age of seven, coached by her father, Madhuker.[3] She attended Round Rock High School and was later homeschooled.[2]

College career

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In April 2020, she committed to play collegiate tennis for the Texas Longhorns.[2] She played her final season in 2024.[1][4]

Professional career

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In October 2024, she won back-to-back $15k titles in Huamantla. The following month, she won the $40k H-E-B Women's Pro Tennis Open in Austin as a wildcard. With her title in Austin, she rose 245 places in the WTA rankings to a career-high of No. 564 on November 18, 2024.[5]

ITF Circuit finals

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Singles: 3 (3 titles, 0 runner-ups)

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Legend
W50 tournaments (1–0)
W15 tournaments (2–0)
Finals by surface
Hard (3–0)
Result W–L Date Tournament Tier Surface Opponent Score
Win 1–0 Oct 2024 ITF Huamantla, Mexico W15 Hard Canada Dasha Plekhanova 7–6(3), 7–5
Win 2–0 Oct 2024 ITF Huamantla, Mexico W15 Hard Colombia Yuliana Monroy 7–6(3), 6–2
Win 3–0 Nov 2024 ITF Austin, U.S. W50 Hard United States Karina Miller 6–4, 6–2

Doubles: 4 (2 titles, 2 runner-ups)

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Legend
W15 tournaments (2–2)
Finals by surface
Hard (2–2)
Result W–L Date Tournament Tier Surface Partner Opponent Score
Loss 0–1 Jun 2023 ITF San Diego, U.S. W15 Hard Ukraine Anita Sahdiieva United States Kimmi Hance
China Tian Fangran 		6–3, 1–6, [9–11]
Loss 0–2 Jun 2023 ITF San Diego, U.S. W15 Hard Ukraine Anita Sahdiieva United States Sara Daavettila
United States Katherine Hui 		6–7(4), 4–6
Win 1–2 Jul 2024 ITF Lakewood, U.S. W15 Hard Ukraine Anita Sahdiieva United States Carolyn Ansari
South Africa Gabriella Broadfoot 		6–4, 2–6, [10–8]
Win 2–2 Oct 2024 ITF Huamantla, Mexico W15 Hard Estonia Liisa Varul Mexico Claudia Sofía Martínez Solís
Mexico María Fernanda Navarro Oliva 		7–6(4), 4–6, [10–7]

References

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  1. ^ a b Jones, Thomas (May 3, 2024). "Texas senior Malaika Rapolu saving best for last as Longhorns open NCAA tennis postseason". Austin American-Statesman. Retrieved November 24, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c Barker, Jeffrey (May 22, 2020). "That's a Rap-Olu: Cedar Park star joins UT tennis a year early". KEYE-TV. Retrieved November 24, 2024.
  3. ^ Montalvo, Vicente (October 14, 2020). "Malaika Rapolu opens up on parent-coach dynamic, journey to Texas tennis". The Daily Texan. Retrieved November 24, 2024.
  4. ^ Ambrose, Anna (April 11, 2024). "Texas women's tennis senior Malaika Rapolu combines experience, ferocity to blossom in final season". The Daily Texan. Retrieved November 24, 2024.
  5. ^ Macpherson, Alex (November 18, 2024). "Rankings Watch: Aiava, Dmitruk, Rapolu boosted by ITF titles". Women's Tennis Association. Retrieved November 24, 2024.
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