Born in Moscow to
Tatar parents, she grew up next to
Sokolniki Park near the Spartak club, where many sports were offered. She first practiced figure skating, skiing and cycling before starting tennis at age 10. Her first coach was Klavdia Borisova. She was the Soviet champion in the 1965-1966 season for girls singles. She attended
State University of Physical Education (named
State Central Order of Lenin Institute of Physical Education (SCOLIPE) at the time) and later received the rank of master in sports of international class (1976). During her tennis career, she played for the
Spartak Tennis Club, and reached her highest seniors rank of the USSR in 1968, finishing fifth. ==Coaching==