By Scoop Malinowski
Status ATP no. 217. His best ranking was 191 in 2023.
Ht: 6-3 Wt: 176
DOB: May 12, 2003 In: Tallinn, Estonia
Nicknames: My last coach started calling me Kiki for some reason. It makes no sense. So now all my French friends call me Kiki.
First Memory Of Tennis: Is actually my first ever tennis practice. And coming home from the practice and I remember I was super proud because I figured out how to hit a forehand. But my way of hitting a forehand was hitting a ball and spinning around. So I would come home and showed my mom, Oh look how I’m hitting a forehand, this means I’d make like a pirouette. That’s my first memory of just hitting spinning forehands, 360 degree forehands (age 6).
Tennis Inspirations: Actually I never had an idol growing up. I always like Roger, Rafa, Novak, all of them. I’d say when I was 18 or 19 I was really inspired by Carlos. Because what he did at that age already was incredible. He kind of inspired me to get my stuff together and work harder.
First Famous Player You Met Or Encountered: When I was really small I met Kontaveit, she was the biggest one in Estonia. Kontaveit and Kanepi. When I was a bit older I met Murray when I was ten, he was practicing in Miami. We went to watch his practice after Orange Bowl. He was playing at Crandon Park.
Last Book Read: Atomic Habits (by James Clear).
Current Car: I have a Fiat 500 (red).
Greatest Sports Moment: Playing at Center Court Wimbledon (against Carlos 2024 1R). The standout memory was the walk to the court. Walking together on court, you’re following a guy to take you out to the court. Walking through the hall, seeing all the history and everyone was walking that walk to center court. Walking on the court was a little bit scary at first. Looking around and being on the court was incredible. (Please with your performance?) I was quite proud of it. But I will not say like disappointed but I felt like I could have done a little bit better.
Most Painful Moment: I can’t think of a painful one right now. But I’ve had a few kind of painful ones. Like losing from match points or… I don’t really have a painful one that stands out.
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: Cookie dough.
Favorite Artist: Lately I’d say Drake.
Favorite Tournaments: Wimbledon… that I’ve played in actually. Some Challengers in Mexico, they’re quite right actually. I played Lyon which won the 2023 Challenger of the Year. Also I like Antwerp 250, my first ATP that I played. So I have good memories.
Why Do You Love Tennis: I love tennis because you never know what to expect. Every single day is different. There’s so many different things you have to handle. It makes it interesting.
Best You Ever Felt On Court: Been quite a few where I’ve been zone to zone where I have like wiped opponents off the court like 0 and 1. That’s when I felt like in the zone. And I think one of the matches I remember was the last round of qualies at Wimbedon. When I played James Duckworth, I played some really good tennis and beat him in three sets. And he’s a grass specialist. It felt in the zone.
Funny Memory: The tournament in Morelos (Mexico) a few weeks ago I played doubles with my friend Murphy Cassone. We go way back. It was a funny sequence of points where I returned with a left hand accidentally, with it like in front of me. The next return Murphy hits a return with like the middle of the strings but he hits it over the fence. We were just dying of laughter the next five minutes.
Strangest Match: Futures Monastir, won a match 60 67 60. That was the strangest one, I double-bageled him but also lost the second set 67. I don’t know what happened there [smiles].
People Qualities Most Admired: Kindness. Like self-confidence. Strength to say what they think. Being sure of themselves basically.
Photo by Janet A. Combs – Sarasota Open.
Andy Murray · Carlos Alcaraz · Estonia · Mark Lajal · Novak Djokovic · Wimbledon
