Born in Moscow to Tatar parents, 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.

[2][3] She attended State University of Physical Education (named State Central Order of Lenin Institute of Physical Education (SCOLIPE) at the time) and later received the rank of master in sports of international class (1976).

She is well known as the mother and first coach of her two children Marat Safin[5] and Dinara Safina, who both reached world No.

She also coached Elena Dementieva,[6] Anastasia Myskina, and Anna Kournikova during the very early years of their tennis careers.