The Californian seemed poised for a breakout last spring in Sarasota where he reached the semifinals of the Sarasota Challenger, losing 46 in the third to eventual champion Nick Kyrgios. But the breakout didn’t happen – instead the former UCLA Bruin (for one season) disappeared from the tennis landscape. After Sarasota last spring, Kosakowski went to Savannah and lost to Bogomolov in the round of sixteen. Then came a first round setback in Tallahassee to Kubler, 75 46 06. Then it was off to Arad Romania where DK posted a win over Bozoljac but then lost to Riba 26 16. The Nottingham Challenger was the next stop but Ram sent him off early, to the tune of 26 36 in the first round. Wimbledon qualies followed Notthingham and Kosakowski beat Brit lefty Marcus Willis in the first round but then fell to Pierre Hugues Hebert 16 36. That was the last ATP match Kosakowski played – for the rest of 2014 and all of 2015 Kosakowski hasn’t played. And the ATP site has “inactive” posted on his player page. So what happened? Did Kosakowski, just 23, give up the dream? Did he run out of money? Did he suffer an injury or endure some kind of surgery? It’s hard to believe such a good player who pushed Nick Kyrgios to 46 in the third last spring, has now stopped competing. POSTSCRIPT: I have learned that Daniel “was forced to have additional surgeries after sustaining an injury during Wimbledon qualifying.” And he’s also had career wins over David Goffin, Steve Johnson, Thiemo deBakker — the Athletic DNA player ambassador page also notes that Kosakowski “is eyeing a return to the court in 2015.”
Talented player has disappeared
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« Previous 1 2Dan Markowitz · November 7, 2015 at 1:01 pm
I didn’t compare Rubin to Hewitt. That would be folly. I just said even at 5-8, the can be a solid pro, a guy like Goldstein and maybe better. There’s something very tenacious and mature about Rubin. You compare him to a guy like Kozlov who Rubin just beat in straight sets in C’ville, and Rubin might have the better career. Kozlov is listed as 6 and Rubin 5-10, and Koz is exactly two years younger, but the Koz to me is too modulated. He’s very young still, but he’s trying to play Agassi tennis without the sizzle.
Clearly, I think, Tommy Paul and Fritz are the Big 2 with JD, Tiafoe and now Rubin the next three.
Harold · November 7, 2015 at 1:51 pm
Scoop compared him to Hewitt. That was a shock and stretch.
Think he got caught up planning ” Facing Rubin” ha ha
Dan Markowitz · November 7, 2015 at 3:25 pm
No, I’ve talked to Scoop himself, he’s busy on his “Facing The Koz” book first. Rubin will have to follow once he’s won two slams.
Scoop Malinowski · November 7, 2015 at 6:13 pm
Size is about the only similarity – Hewitt or Ferrer play reasonably like how Rubin plays – who would you liken Rubin too? Hewitt’s tenacity and fight was a diff level but Rubin definitely has a specialness – we will see how it evolves and if it can adjust to the big boys – I did talk to Darian king who has beaten Koz four out of four already – says he’s good and his bh is his best shot but he gets nervous and slices it – King thought that was odd as it’s his best shot – so Facing kozlov is off and running 🙂