Introduction
Rauza Muhamedzhanovna Islanova (Russian: Рауза Мухамеджановна Исланова; born February 8, 1948 in Moscow, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union) is a prominent Russian tennis coach and former tennis player.
Early life and career
Born in Moscow, 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 K. Borisova. She was the Soviet champion in the 1965-1966 season for girls singles.
She attended State University of Physical Education, graduated of the Order of Lenin 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
Since 1976, she has worked at the Spartak Tennis Club. She is well known as the mother and first coach of her two children Marat Safin and Dinara Safina, who both reached world No. 1. She was full-time coach of Dinara until the end of 2003. She still accompanies her to tournaments frequently.
She also coached Elena Dementieva, Anastasia Myskina, and Anna Kournikova during the very early years of their tennis careers.