[1][2] Lopatkina did not dance during the 2016–2017 season due to injury, and her retirement from the Mariinsky was announced on the company's website on 16 June 2017.

She is a perfect example of the Russian (Kirov) school with long limbs, great strength and a classical purity of line, as well as noted musicality.

[4][5] Her repertoire includes: Lopatkina was married to architect and writer Vladimir Kornev until their divorce in 2010.

At the Kirov, she first attends a class with other dancers and followed this with a personal rehearsal with Ninel Kurgapkina, until the latter's death.

[7] Lopatkina is a tall ballerina: she is 5 feet 9 inches (1.75 m) and wears shoes size 10.5 US (8 UK).