Status: ATP #24.
Ht: 6-0 Wt: 160
DOB: June 25, 1982 In: Moscow, Russia
Tennis Inspirations: “When I was six-years-old my hero was Stefan Edberg, I liked how he played. (Did you ever meet him?) Once I met him on the bus, we were sitting together on the same bus [smiles].”
Hobbies/Interests: “Reading books, soccer.”
Childhood Dream: “I wanted to receive my driver’s license!”
Favorite Movies: “I like Russian movies.”
Musical Tastes: “Russian music, Lesopoval, Mikhail Tanich.”
First Car: “A gray Lada.”
Early Tennis Memory: “When I won my first tournament in Russia, at my club Spartak. For me, it was a strong tournament. I played two or three good players. 7-5 6-4 in the final. I won a trophy and they take a Polaroid photo (age 13).”
Pre-Match Feeling: “A little bit excited. Feeling all I have to do on court. Before the match sometimes I try to remember how I play good in our matches, what I’m doing if I play before with this opponent. I try to remember how I play against him, what I’m doing on the court.”
Favorite Meal: “Russian and Italian, sometimes sushi or a Chinese restaurant.”
Favorite Breakfast Cereal: “I don’t like breakfast at all [laughs].”
Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: “Strawberry and chocolate I think.”
Greatest Sports Moment: “It looks like Davis Cup (d. Mathieu from two sets down in decisive match of final vs. France in Paris in 2002). It was greatest moment for my name – Davis Cup – but I have a family situation in this time. So that’s why, for me, maybe it was not good feelings like it was for all our persons. (Mikhail’s dad Mikhail passed away two months, one week earlier.)”
Most Painful Moment: “The worst tennis moment I think was … a lot of tough moments in every new years. Every new years were really tough, like, another problem, another problem. I think it was when I lost to Volchkov. Belarus we play against first round and I lost final point to Volchkov in Davis Cup 2004.”
Favorite Tournaments: “Tough question. I think it’s home tournaments – St. Petersburg and Moscow.”
Closest Tennis Friends: “Actually I have good contact with almost all players but I prefer good contact with Schuettler, Erlich, Ram from Israel.”
Funniest Players Encountered: “It’s tough question [smiles]. I saw Agassi-Bagdhatis match was a funny match. I cannot say funny players but it was a really nice match. When it was cramps to Bagdhatis it was really funny moment. I understand it was really tough for him but I really liked what he was doing. I understand if I was in his position I would do the same. It was really funny. I liked how Bagdhatis made it.”
Toughest Competitor: “I think Roger [smiles]. I lost to him ten times (0-10 career record vs. Federer) [smiles].”
Embarrassing Memory: “I lose 6-0 6-0 to Coria in Stuttgart, I don’t remember exactly the year. I was former champion of Stuttgart [laughs] in 2004. And I have a lot of break points, I cannot win any games. After, my manager tell me, You are really smart. Because you lost 6-0 6-0 and now we play three sets for the same purse for the same money [smiles].”
Best Ever Felt On Court: “I think the best match was against Nadal (U.S. Open 2006). Now, in my career, I think it was the best match because it was very high level from first ball until the last.”
Favorite Vacation Spot: “I like Cypress and Thailand I think was very nice.”
People Qualities Most Admired: “I like to see kindness and honesty.”
Mixed emotions after huge Davis Cup win
Scoop Malinowski · September 2, 2013 at 3:37 pm
Won over 400 matches, eight singles titles, former world #8, three major QFs (Australian, French, Wimbledon) and two SFs (US Open). Heckuva a career for Youzhny. Love his one hander. Missed only two slams since 200l. Deserves mention in the “iron man” of tennis discussion.
Harold · September 2, 2013 at 4:05 pm
Where is the Mecir biofile?
Kelsey · September 2, 2013 at 5:43 pm
This was great! Mikhail is my second favorite player behind X-Man, of course. So happy and proud he is doing so well this year at the US Open.
DanM · September 2, 2013 at 5:57 pm
Isn’t this great to watch Fed play Robredo after Haas played Youzhny? Long live the one-handed backhand. And can just one young American player play with the one-hander? It’s just another reason why I don’t like to see the young American players play.
Scoop Malinowski · September 3, 2013 at 9:54 am
Thank you Kelsey, Youzhny is a class guy, very friendly and nice just like Malisse. A little bit better of a player too, think he works and trains harder than X. Youzhny vs. Hewitt will be a great match.
Scoop Malinowski · September 3, 2013 at 9:54 am
Harold I will run the Mecir Biofile soon,
gans · September 4, 2013 at 7:34 am
Thanks for the biofile scoop. Youzhny deserves it. Great player and a great competitor.
gans · September 4, 2013 at 7:35 am
We saw him at cicinnati.
Jess · September 9, 2013 at 10:00 am
Aww he likes Thailand (where I’m from). He’s been here very often during off-season preparing for AO.
Scoop Malinowski · September 9, 2013 at 11:02 am
Thanks Jess, I didn’t know Youzhny trains in Thailand. What part are you from? I have some friends from there.