Salome Devidze Biography: Birthday, Career, Titles and Records

Salome Devidze is a Georgian former tennis professional who has become a leading figure in international pickleball.

Salome Devidze was born on 2 January 1986 in Tbilisi, Georgia. She began playing tennis at the age of five and quickly rose through the junior ranks, becoming the number one player in Europe for the under‑14 category at twelve and reaching a world junior ranking of eleven at fifteen. She turned professional at sixteen and later represented Georgia in the Fed Cup, compiling an 18‑11 win‑loss record.

After a career‑high singles ranking of world No. 254 on 26 April 2004 and a doubles peak of No. 250 on 10 October 2005, Devidze competed in the US Open, French Open and Wimbledon. Transitioning to pickleball, she amassed 36 professional medals on the PPA and APP tours, achieving the top spot on the APP rankings and a fifth‑place PPA ranking.

Salome Devidze: quick facts

Born: 2 January 1986, Tbilisi
Country: Georgia
Sport: Pickleball

Salome Devidze’s early life

Salome Devidze grew up in Tbilisi with two older brothers who were already involved in tennis, providing an early family influence on her sporting path. She first picked up a racket at five years old, displaying a natural aptitude that soon attracted attention beyond Georgia. At eight, a tournament in Portugal brought her to the notice of a New York‑based sponsor, prompting her family to relocate to Florida so she could train at the renowned Chris Evert Tennis Academy.

The move to the United States allowed Devidze to benefit from high‑performance coaching and competitive junior circuits, accelerating her development. Over the next eight years she refined her technique and mental game, culminating in a decision to turn professional at sixteen. Her early exposure to international competition laid the foundation for later achievements on both the tennis and pickleball stages.

Salome Devidze’s before pickleball

Devidze’s tennis career featured a steady climb through the professional ranks. She achieved her highest singles ranking of world No. 254 on 26 April 2004 and reached No. 250 in doubles on 10 October 2005. During this period she contested the main draws of the US Open, French Open and Wimbledon, gaining experience on the sport’s biggest stages. On the ITF Circuit she appeared in two singles finals, finishing as runner‑up on both occasions, and secured one doubles title from three finals, with two additional runner‑up finishes.

Representing Georgia in the Fed Cup, Devidze compiled an 18–11 win–loss record, contributing to the national team’s efforts in the competition. Notably, she became the youngest player to win a Davis Cup or Fed Cup match at thirteen years and 270 days, a record that underscored her early promise. Her junior résumé also includes a world junior ranking of eleven at fifteen and a European under‑14 championship title at twelve, reflecting a consistent pattern of high performance from a young age.

Salome Devidze’s titles and achievements

On the tennis front, Devidze’s most tangible trophy is an ITF doubles title, earned from three final appearances that also yielded two runner‑up finishes. Her participation in Grand Slam events, although not resulting in titles, demonstrated her ability to qualify for the sport’s premier tournaments. The Fed Cup record of 18 wins to 11 losses and the distinction of being the youngest Davis Cup/Fed Cup match winner further highlight her contributions to Georgian tennis. Her junior record includes being ranked number one in Europe for the under‑14 age group at twelve and attaining the world junior rank of eleven at fifteen, underscoring her early dominance.

In pickleball, Devidze has amassed a remarkable collection of 36 professional medals on the Professional Pickleball Association (PPA) and Association of Pickleball Professionals (APP) tours. Her standing on the APP circuit reached the top position, while she secured a fifth‑place ranking on the PPA tour. Remarkably, she secured her first professional gold medal in pickleball after only six weeks of practice, illustrating the transfer of her tennis skill set to the newer sport.

Salome Devidze’s personal life

Devidze’s family background is rooted in sport, with two older brothers who pursued tennis before her. The family’s commitment to her development led them to move from Tbilisi to Florida after a sponsorship opportunity arose when she was eight, allowing her to train at the Chris Evert Tennis Academy. The relocation provided her with access to elite coaching and facilities, shaping both her tennis and later pickleball careers. She began playing tennis at five, quickly showing talent that attracted a sponsor at eight. The move to the United States also meant adapting to a new culture and education system, which she balanced alongside intensive training.