Ukrainian Teen Mariia Vainshtein Becomes New York City Tennis Champion After Fleeing War

Vainshtein, 17, won the Public Schools Athletic League championship and Mayor Dinkins Cup after moving to the U.S. from Odesa in 2022.

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Mariia Vainshtein, a 17-year-old Ukrainian refugee, has become a tennis champion in New York City after fleeing the Russian invasion of her home country in 2022. Vainshtein, who had to quickly adapt to life in the U.S. with limited English skills, won the Public Schools Athletic League championship and the Mayor Dinkins Cup tournament for New York City players. She is now considering playing tennis in college as she applies to Ivy League schools.

Why it matters

Vainshtein's story highlights the resilience and determination of Ukrainian refugees who have had to rebuild their lives after fleeing the war. Her success in tennis has provided her with a sense of normalcy and accomplishment during a difficult transition, and serves as an inspiring example of how sports can help integrate immigrants into a new community.

The details

Vainshtein, who started playing tennis at age 5 for medical reasons, continued to train and compete in junior tournaments in Ukraine. When her family fled Odesa after the Russian invasion in 2022, they settled in New York City, where Vainshtein began training at the Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning. Under the guidance of coach Rob Cizek, Vainshtein's aggressive playing style and mental focus helped her excel, leading to championships at the high school and city levels.

  • On February 24, 2022, Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine, prompting Vainshtein's family to flee Odesa within days.
  • In 2024, Vainshtein helped James Madison High School in Brooklyn win the Public Schools Athletic League championship, the school's first title since 1978.
  • In the summer of 2025, Vainshtein won the trophy for her division in the Mayor Dinkins Cup, a tournament for New York City players from both public and private schools.

The players

Mariia Vainshtein

A 17-year-old Ukrainian refugee who has become a tennis champion in New York City after fleeing the Russian invasion of her home country in 2022.

Anzhelika Kotliantseva

Vainshtein's mother, who brought her two daughters to New York City after deciding it was no longer safe to remain in Ukraine.

Oleksandr

Vainshtein's father, who remained in Ukraine and has been able to see his daughter play a few times a year.

Rob Cizek

Vainshtein's coach at the Cary Leeds Center for Tennis & Learning in the Bronx, who helped her develop her mental focus and aggressive playing style.

James Madison High School

The Brooklyn high school that Vainshtein attends and where she helped the tennis team win the Public Schools Athletic League championship in 2024.

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What they’re saying

“I'm very proud of her. Very proud. I'm so excited that she's going to college, and she's gone so far in this short time.”

— Anzhelika Kotliantseva, Vainshtein's mother (wbal.com)

“We talk to them, 'OK, what happened here? How did you handle this? How can you handle it better next time?' and I think that's something that sometimes gets overlooked. But to me it's a really important part of their growth, both off the court but also later when they face adversity, tough situations and they have some tools to handle that.”

— Rob Cizek, Vainshtein's coach (wbal.com)

What’s next

Vainshtein is considering whether to continue playing tennis in college as she applies to Ivy League schools. She has also qualified for the national competition in the 'We the People' civic education program.

The takeaway

Mariia Vainshtein's journey from fleeing the war in Ukraine to becoming a tennis champion in New York City is a testament to the resilience and determination of Ukrainian refugees. Her success in sports has helped her integrate into her new community and provided a sense of normalcy during a difficult transition, inspiring others who have had to rebuild their lives after fleeing conflict.