Varvara Lepchenko is Pleased to Have US Passport

Written by: Staff on 16th July 2012

Varvara Lepchenko is Pleased to Have US Passport

epa03282563 Patricia Mayr-Achleitner of Austria returns to Varvara Lepchenko of US during their first round match for the Wimbledon Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis Club, in London, Britain, 26 June 2012. EPA/JONATHAN BRADY |

Varvara Lepchenko, who grabbed a United States Olympic spot at the last minute with a fourth round appearance at Roland Garros, is thrilled to be traveling with a U.S. passport. Lepchenko, a native of Uzbekistan, has lived in the United States for 10 and half years, and was given her US citizenship in September, 2011.

Before then, she was limited in the places where she could play because she still held a Uzbek passport.

“It was quite difficult when I was stuck because of my documents,” the left hander told the North County Times. “I couldn’t get vital experience against top players in top tournaments, so I was behind many other players in that regard. It was very difficult to get visas to specific places, and I had to pick the most important tournaments without gaining the momentum and confidence from playing regularly. It was strange not having a full passport. I felt like I wasn’t a complete person, although I always felt like an American and identify myself as such. The passport made me truly equal to everyone else. It gave me more opportunities, and I went after them.”

Topics: American tennis news, London Olympics news, tennis fan news, Tennis News, Varvara Lepchenko