AUBURN, Ala. – Auburn senior Ekaterina Khairutdinova has earned the SEC’s first Player of the Week honor of the 2026 season, the conference announced Wednesday.
In her first seven matches in an Auburn uniform, Khairutdinova has helped lead the Tigers to seven wins to open the season. The senior has dominated at the No. 1 and No. 2 singles positions, winning all five of her singles matches in straight sets.
The Krasnodar, Russia, native recorded wins over Vendula Kryslova of Bellarmine, Kristyna Damaskova of UAB, Yoanna Radulova of Liberty, Alicia Owegi of Alabama A&M and Taly Licht of Georgia Tech.
Khairutdinova also played a key role in Auburn capturing five doubles points, dropping just one game across all five doubles victories.
Khairutdinova and the Tigers will return to action Saturday at noon CT against Tulane at the Yarbrough Tennis Center. The match opens ITA Kickoff Weekend, a qualifying event for the ITA National Team Indoor Championship in February.