How a family holiday and broken lamps made Kichenok twins 'fall in love' with tennis

Joshua MbuWed, November 11, 2026 at 2:46 PM UTC

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Lyudmyla Kichenok and Nadiia Kickenok grew up in the Ukrainian industrial city of Dnipro -Credit:Getty (Getty)

Before they were representing Ukraine on the biggest stage in tennis, Lyudmyla and Nadiia Kichenok were two young twin sisters smashing tennis balls against walls — and breaking just about every lamp in their family apartment along the way.

What began as an impromptu game during a family vacation quickly developed into an obsession. Their love for tennis was so immediate that their mother struggled to tempt the twins away, having previously tried to steer them toward more “girly” activities such as dancing — something they quickly decided wasn't for them.

More than two decades later, both have enjoyed success on the WTA Tour, winning multiple titles together, while Lyudmyla has also claimed two Grand Slam crowns – the 2023 Wimbledon mixed doubles title and the 2024 U.S. Open women's doubles championship. The sisters have also represented Ukraine together at three Olympic Games.

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And they wouldn’t have it any other way. “We went on a family vacation, and our dad was playing with some friends, and he brought us,” Nadiia told Mirror U.S. Sport at Web Summit in Lisbon about how they got started in tennis.

“We just took the racket and started to hit against the wall. And then we couldn't stop hitting against any possible wall. When we got back home, they took us to the tennis classes.

“We actually were really lucky with the first coach. She was technically very good and passionate. She saw how much we liked it because we really fell in love.”

At just seven years old, the Kichenok twins caught the tennis bug — at great cost to their parents’ apartment decor. “We couldn't drop the racket from our hands. We broke all the lamps in our apartment where we were living at that time with our parents,” Nadiia continued with a laugh.

Lyudmyla and Nadiia Kichenok spoke exclusively to Mirror U.S. Sport at the Web Summit in Lisbon -Credit:Getty

Before their chance encounter with tennis while on holiday with their family, neither Lyudmyla nor Nadiia knew the sport existed. They grew up amid difficult times in Ukraine in the 90s as the country became an independent, sovereign state, following the fall of the Soviet Union in December 1991.

“We didn't even know this game existed,” Lyudmyla said. “In Ukraine it was difficult times in general,” Nadiia continued. “The 90s were really tough for a lot of people financially. It was a developing country. We are from an industrial city.”

The twins were pushed by their mom to try more “girly” activities, such as dance. However, a “tough” teacher made their desire to continue playing tennis even stronger.

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“Our mom was taking us to some girly things like dance classes,” Nadiia said. “We were not lucky with the teacher there. She was a little tough. So it was one of the points that made a switch [to tennis] very easy.”

The sisters' competitive instincts were evident from an early age, with having each other as training partners providing an advantage as they progressed through the ranks. But while their relationship off the court was that of siblings, their rivalry on the court helped push them toward becoming the players they are today.

The Pros & Cons

“We were hitting partners for each other. That was really helpful because we didn't have to search for other players to practice,” Lyudmyla said. Although it did come with its understandable and relatable drawbacks.

“Sometimes it was not easy as well,” Lyudmyla continued. “Because we are sisters. We could just fight for every ball against each other.”

Lyudmyla and Nadiia won four WTA doubles titles together and represented Ukraine at three Olympic Games — achievements that few siblings in professional sport can claim. “I would say that playing together is one of the best moments of my career,” Nadiia said.

“I always say that winning a title with my sister is the best feeling ever. Because it's something that you share in the family. It feels a little different.

The Kichenok twins admitted that training and playing together was not always easy -Credit:Getty

“Not that other titles are... I don't want to put less value on the titles. But still, it's a different feeling. Winning and making it together from childhood on the same court. And then winning the biggest titles in the world.”

The Kichenok twins enjoyed great success together and also apart. Lyudmyla won the 2024 U.S. Open alongside Jeļena Ostapenko, having also won the 2023 Wimbledon Mixed Doubles crown the year before.

Both wanted to step out of their comfort zones. “We had been playing together since we started our professional careers. But at some point, we just realized we needed to change something. Because we stopped growing,” Lyudmyla admitted.

“And we're comfortable together. Yeah, exactly. We just decided to split. Because from other players you also can learn. And yeah, that helped. That was a good move.”

Lyudmyla is preparing for the 2027 season, while her sister Nadiia is taking a break -Credit:Getty

Now both 34, the Kichenok twins have traveled to Lisbon for Web Summit, one of the world's largest annual technology conferences, with an eye on what comes next.

While Lyudmyla is already preparing for the 2027 season, Nadiia has temporarily stepped away from tennis, and both sisters are beginning to consider what life beyond the court could hold.

"We are considering exploring after-career options, and technology is everywhere these days!" Nadiia said.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”