By Scoop Malinowski
Status: Former ATP world no. 1, French Open, Australian Open, 2000 Olympic Champion. Lead Russia to first Davis Cup victory in 2002.
Ht: 6-3 Wt: 185
DOB: February 18, 1974 In: Sochi, Russia
Tennis Inspirations: “There are a few people I loved to watch while (I) was young. (Who?) Well, obviously Borg was one of them. Johnny Mac was one of the few.”
Hobbies/Interests: “Right now? I’m busy. I’m family man. I got little daughter (Aleysa) that I’m taking care of. Part time TV stuff, so.”
First Tennis Memory: “Oh. Been a few. First time I traveled I was six-years-old, to a junior tournament. That still keeps in my mind. To inside Russia, one of the national tournaments. (How did you do?) I don’t remember. But that first time is the memory.”
Greatest Sports Moment: “I can say there are four or five.”
Most Painful Moment: “Ooh…ah…ooh. You know, I’m gonna say there been a few where I had a chance to of perhaps winning the Slams that I didn’t do. I would say that ones.”
Favorite Tournaments: “Maybe a few countries. Russia was one of them. Australia, France – where I had my most success.”
Closest Tennis Friends: “There are many. There are many.”
Funniest Players Encountered: “While I was playing – Goran. Goran had the best sense of humor of all.”
Toughest Competitors Encountered: “There are like ten guys.”
Which Matches Did You Feel At Your Absolute Best: “French Open ’96. Because that’s the tournament I won where no one could even get close to me. (What happened?) All aspects came together at right moment. I had signs that I was going to play well there. Beating Pete Sampras 62 62 the week before.”
Childhood Dreams: “As a young one I wanted to win, first, tournaments. Then, obviously, the appetite got bigger. Then, of course, when you accomplish one, there’s always another.”
Pre-Match Feeling: “Pretty much same routine all the time – warm-up, have a little bite before the match, then just get ready.”
Favorite Movies: “I don’t recall. Nothing comes to mind quickly.”
Last Book Read: “Also long time ago, hasn’t been any lately.”
Musical Tastes: “Just pop, whatever pops up on the radios.”
Favorite Meal: “Russian.”
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: “Chocolate.”
Funny Tennis Memory: “Nothing comes to mind in the moment.”
Embarrassing Tennis Memory: “There was a few ones. Pretty much almost lost 60 60. (To who?) 60 61 to Jeff Tarango, believe it or not. Back in ’94 at one of the tournaments (in Bordeaux, France).”
Favorite Athletes To Watch: “Always thought that (Michael) Jordan was the best athlete of all time. I like to watch the New York Yankees, I like to go to Yankee Stadium when I’m in New York. I did like to watch Mike Tyson when he was the best. (Evander) Holyfield I admire for his courage and his toughness.”
Favorite Tennis Players To Watch: “Oh, Nadal is the most person that I like to watch besides, of course, Safin. Many people in our country miss him. Missing his best days of glory. (Why Nadal?) Well, I think he’s a character, he brings charisma to the courts. He’s got good, fresh energy.”
People Qualities Most Admired: “Honesty. That was, at least how I was with anyone. Anything that came up to my mind I was always straight to the people, never hide anything, so, that’s what I admire.”
Career Accomplishments: First Russian to achieve no. 1 ranking on May 3, 1999; Won 1996 French Open and 1999 Australian Open; Won Olympic gold medal at 2000 Olympics with five-set win vs. Haas; Lead Russia to defeat France 3-2 in 2002 Davis Cup final – Russia’s first Davis Cup victory; Winner of 26 career ATP singles titles and 27 doubles; Career Earnings over $23 million; Won four Grand Slam doubles titles; Won Moscow ATP event five years in a row – after fifth title donated prize money of $137,000 to families of victims of Oct. 4, 2001 plane crash in Black Sea.
You can read more Biofile interviews like this at Scoop’s Biofile site
Nobody could touch Yev in Paris 1996
Thomas Tung · October 21, 2011 at 2:50 am
Hah! Great to see my favorite player open up a bit … in 1999, Tennis Magazine published a piece on Yevgeny back when he hit #1 in the world, and they had a memorable quote from someone, who quipped, “Marcelo Rios can be temperamental, but the Y-Man takes it to another level. Any demand on his time is a battle …”
Scoop Malinowski · October 21, 2011 at 12:39 pm
Got him at the Davis Cup final in Portland a few years back Thomas, he was a smart aleck type character, he cracked that he wanted to get paid for an interview but I was able to brush that aside and get this Biofile. Tried many times when he was an active player but failed every time, he was tough to get one on one during his playing career.