Wimbledon champion's topless pics sparked abuse 'avalanche' but she ignored haters

A former Wimbledon junior champion traded the tennis court for the camera lens to become a model and shared racy topless snaps of herself online.

Sofya Zhuk may not be familiar to some tennis fans. Yet, the Russian beauty was earmarked for stardom in 2015 when she secured the girls' singles crown at SW19 at 15-years-old. Unfortunately, her dreams of a thriving tennis career were dashed by a back injury.

Now 25, Sofya lives in Miami and has launched a racy modelling career. The blonde beauty has never been reluctant to showcase her toned figure, even posting topless photoshoots on her Instagram account.

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The former world no.116 shared one tasteful image in 2020 when she posed with her back to the camera, preserving her modesty. The photograph attracted more than 4,500 likes, but it wasn't welcomed by all.

In an interview with RT, the former tennis prodigy disclosed that she encountered criticism after uploading the picture and voiced bewilderment over the hostile responses it triggered.

"I didn't quite get what was the big deal," she told the channel. "I posted a photo, so what? When I share something, I'm not trying to send any message. I'm just posting a picture that I like.

WARNING, NUDITY BELOW

"But when I shared that [topless] photo, I received an avalanche of messages. Normally I wouldn't bother about them, but this [time] around they were so aggressive.

"I just think people simply can't accept that I've found myself outside tennis, that I can live happily without sport and not sinking into depression."

However, following that post, she began sharing raunchier pics both topless and in lingerie for her legion of fans online.

Sofya seems to have found her calling away from the tennis court. And the Russian stunner continues to share captivating snaps of herself around Miami.

In one of her most liked posts, Sofya is pictured in a pristine white bikini, lounging on a balcony. She's no stranger to a good bikini snap - and who could blame her given the temperatures in Magic City regularly exceed 30 degrees.

These days, the former Wimbledon junior champion also works in the luxury car rental business. Her Instagram feed attests to this, brimming with photos of Sofya posing alongside some impressive vehicles.

Her company run with her husband, 'Boy Toys' provides exotic car rentals, as well as charters for yachts, jets, and jet skis.

While Sofya appears to be relishing her new life in the States, it's hard not to wonder what might have been had she stayed injury-free.

In a lengthy Instagram post, she revealed: "Every day I get questions about if I stopped playing tennis and why and when or if I will be back.

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"I want to make it clear that I understand why you want to know and my answer is - I have not played for seven months now because for a few years I've been struggling with serious injuries and always had to play with lots of pain.

"I loved tennis but it got to the point where I wanted to be pain free and mentally be able to live freely and think about my health and future."

Speaking after she retired, she explained: "My body needed rest. I was in so much trouble that even the doctors wouldn't treat me.

"I don't normally digest protein, so the discs in my vertebrae behave like those of a 60-year-old." Sofya added: "I've always played in terrible pain, I loved tennis but I had to think about my health."

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