We continue our series of stories about the winners of the 2026 Moldovan National Championships. This is the story of Moldova’s U12 girls’ champion, Amelia-Elena Seremet.
As a child, Amelia-Elena’s parents rarely limited her to just one activity. Together with her brother, she tried football, dance sport, cycling, badminton, artistic gymnastics, athletics, table tennis, padel and, of course, tennis. Their parents wanted to give the children the chance to discover for themselves what they truly enjoyed.
In the summer of 2020, Amelia stepped onto a tennis court for the first time. That was when she understood: this was her sport.
“My brother and I tried many different sports, but tennis became our favourite. Since then, I can no longer imagine myself without it.”
Today Amelia is only ten years old, but she is already the champion of the Republic of Moldova in the U12 girls’ category and one of the country’s most promising young tennis players.
For Amelia, the title of Moldovan champion is much more than a beautiful trophy. It is proof that daily work brings results.
“For me, this title confirms that I am moving in the right direction and constantly growing as an athlete. It is the result of hard work, discipline and daily effort.”
She is especially grateful to her coach, Olga Kosyk.
“Her support, professionalism and belief in me played a very important role on this journey.”
As is often the case for champions, the toughest test at the national championship was the final.
“But honestly, every match was important in its own way. At tournaments like this, you cannot underestimate any opponent.”
It is precisely this attitude toward every point and every opponent that separates future champions from the rest.
Despite her young age, Amelia already regularly competes in Tennis Europe international tournaments, where the level of competition is significantly higher than at national events. This year, Amelia was also selected for Moldova’s U12 national tennis team and represented the country at the Tennis Europe Winter Cup in Olomouc, Czech Republic.
“At international tournaments, the pace of play is completely different, and so is the level of the opponents. But that is exactly why every victory brings even more joy and gives you such valuable experience.”
That experience is already beginning to produce results.
This season, Amelia won a Tennis Europe doubles title, proving that she feels confident not only in singles but also on the doubles court.
There is another detail that makes Amelia stand out among her peers. In addition to tennis, she also takes padel seriously and already represents Moldova on the international stage. In 2026, Amelia was selected for the country’s junior team, which competed at the European Padel Championship.
At the same time, she makes a very clear distinction between her two favourite sports.
“Padel is for the soul, but tennis is my love.”
Still, one sport helps the other.
“Padel makes me feel more confident at the net. I think that is exactly what helped me win a Tennis Europe doubles tournament.”
During the school year, Amelia trains five or six times a week. During the holidays, her day starts at eight in the morning and continues with several hours on court. After tennis, she does athletics, plays padel, rides her bike or spends time with her family.
Such a schedule demands serious discipline even from an adult athlete. But Amelia is certain that only consistent work allows you to keep improving.
When young players are asked about their idols, they usually name famous champions and dream of becoming like them.
Amelia’s answer was unexpected.
“I do not want to be like anyone else. I like being myself.”
At the same time, she enjoys watching great players compete.
She admires Roger Federer’s calmness and elegance, as well as Aryna Sabalenka’s energy, charisma and fighting spirit.
Amelia is only ten years old, but she has already set herself a very mature goal.
“In five years, I really want to play at Junior Roland Garros. That is one of my main goals.”
Big dreams are born exactly this way. First come the first training sessions. Then the first victories. Then the title of national champion. And after that begins the road to international tournaments.
Today, that road runs through the courts of the National Tennis Centre of Moldova.
And it is entirely possible that in a few years’ time, we will see the name Amelia-Elena Seremet in the draws of the world’s biggest junior tournaments.
Quick Fire
Favourite surface? Clay
Favourite shot? Drive volley
Favourite Grand Slam tournament? Roland Garros
Favourite country or city where you have already played? Moldova – home advantage really helps
Best food after winning a tournament? Ice cream, sushi, burger
If you could spend one day with any athlete in the world, who would you choose? Aryna Sabalenka
What place would you like to visit, even without a tennis tournament? China
Favourite book, film or cartoon? The «Three Bogatyrs» cartoon series
Favourite school subject? Mathematics
Three words that best describe you off the tennis court? Perseverance, independence, respect
