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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1 2 Next »Moskova Moskova · November 3, 2015 at 1:22 pm
nice one hander – i think i saw him at uso, years ago it seems..
Dan markowitz · November 3, 2015 at 1:53 pm
It’s hard to imagine that if a guy is still playing Challengers at 23 and then needs surgery, he’s ever going to be an ATP pro. Guys who made it later like DY or Stepanek, I think they were relatively surgery-free. Once you have the surgeries, like a Christian Harrison, you’re basically finished.
Moskova Moskova · November 3, 2015 at 2:42 pm
btw scoop, what’s that photo ? doesnt look like DK…
Scoop Malinowski · November 3, 2015 at 7:07 pm
Roddick had a knee surgery as a teen I believe – surely there were others –
Scoop Malinowski · November 3, 2015 at 7:08 pm
It’s just a random shot of a court – Eddie Herr actually at Img in Bradenton to be exact – I don’t have a photo of DK –
Andrew Miller · November 3, 2015 at 9:58 pm
Some players get injured and come back, some don’t. From what I understand if it weren’t for the trainers there wouldn’t be a tour anywhere near today’s quality. Those folks are reputed to b miracle workers.
Dan Markowitz · November 4, 2015 at 8:16 am
I never heard Roddick having knee surgery as a teen. My point is that it’s different if you’re Raonic or Sock, already established players, having surgery and returning to being good player, or a Muster. The middling players, the Jeff Salzenstein’s, once the injuries occur, they rehab and come back, but they rarely excel on the tour.
Scoop Malinowski · November 4, 2015 at 8:29 am
Good win for Tiafoe yesterday – also Paul Kozlov Donaldson Rubin Escobedo all won – but how about this missed easy whiff on an easy ball at net by Tiafoe – do you think he whiffed on this on purpose? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bWWW_dL1GO8&feature=youtu.be
Scoop Malinowski · November 4, 2015 at 8:31 am
But Dan Haas has had several surgeries and still won titles – Haas may be the ultimate comeback from injury man in tennis history – mr Perseverance –
Moskova Moskova · November 4, 2015 at 8:45 am
haas is the exception – most usually fade into an oblivion after surgery…..that haas BH is a thing of beauty nonetheless !
Dan Markowitz · November 4, 2015 at 9:10 am
Scoop, read my post, I said the players like Raonic, Sock, Muster, who were established pros when they suffered their injuries and had surgeries (Haas is certainly included in this list), all come back and play well. Although, we’ve yet to see a player come back from major surgery and win a slam, and you include Muster, Kuerten, Magnus Norman in that group. But the middling players like Kosakowski, and I just now had to look up his name because he’s very middling, or a Salzenstein don’t do very well after their surgeries.
Spadea basically refused to have any kind of surgery during his career–he still doesn’t and he has a serious knee injury–because the guy just didn’t trust coming back after undergoing the knife. What happens is that you might rehab the part of the body where the surgery took place, but then another part of your body weakens. It’s just a bad cycle.
Scoop Malinowski · November 4, 2015 at 9:23 am
Dan you would know about how tough it is to come back to tennis after surgery, having endured what was it two or three? might be an interesting article to consider – seems harder in tennis to come back from a surgery – but easier in say baseball – look at how well matt harvey pitched for eight innings in that last world series game vs the amazing royals – then he suddenly lost it after having a 2-2 count on that leadoff batter in 9th, whom he walked, then the next guy got the big hit and he was done – tennis players just don’t seem to comeback so strong like harvey did this year – there are probably other baseball examples – tommy john of course another famous one –
Dan Markowitz · November 4, 2015 at 9:35 am
Harvey doesn’t have to run the ball over the plate. The other thing is…I’ve had two hip surgeries and three shoulder surgeries. The hip surgeries, the lower body surgeries, have been much harder to come back from then the shoulder surgeries. I’m not going to be as strong in my right shoulder as I once was, but I can hit a ball hard and serve hard. It’s not that big of a deal, but the two hip surgeries, on either hip, have made it tough to move real well and feel balanced on the court. But then I follow Bob Litwin and he’s playing the 65 Nationals on the clay in New Orleans this week, and he had hip resurfacing surgery followed by a total hip replacement and he’s winning matches love and 1. So everyone’s different, but again, Litwin, has been at the top of his age group since he was like 35.
Is Coric as good as everyone makes him out to be? I know Ryan who sometimes posts on T-P thinks the world of him, but I’m watching him and besides his great footwork and speed, I don’t see any big weapons.
Dan Markowitz · November 4, 2015 at 9:47 am
Hey, that is a big win for Tiafoe, probably the biggest win of his young career, knocking off a top 100 player like Jaziri in straight sets. All the big young guns are in the second round in C’ville, JD, Tiafoe and Paul (Fritz isn’t there) and Kozlov and Rubin as well. Mmoh lost to the Brit, Rice, in the qualies, and then Rice knocked off 2 seed, Duckworth.
Andrew Miller · November 4, 2015 at 10:50 am
Not for me to defend injured players. Comebacks depend on a lot of factors (see Baker, Brian). Desire to a great extent. Whether they are actually healthy enough to play.
For what it’s worth, the most recent NCAA champs haven’t done that well. 2013 champ Blaz Rola has shown some flashes of excellent play – certainly has a nice game, but his forehand flies sometimes. JJ, 2013 finalist, has had a dog of a year – he’s played all the qualies for slams, but hasn’t had a good outing in regular events. 2014 champ Giron out in Canberra is in the final eight, but has spent most of the year in the futures. 2015 champ (and current student) Ryan Shane lost in the 1st round of the challenger in Charlottesville.
On the one hand you could say they just aren’t Steve Johnson. On the other hand you could ask what’s holding them back.
Andrew Miller · November 4, 2015 at 1:54 pm
Depends on injury. Probably opportunities also. Kosakowski might be fine because he lives in a tennis Mecca – when he’s ready there are players to hit with, tournaments to play not far from him and since his dad coaches him he can do that too. He also was playing well before his injury which is another reason to come back.
For Klahn it’s same thing. He was playing better and getting back to his high level. He might come back with a better backhand also, similar to his NCAA championship year she he drove it as hard as some of his forehands. You can be a better post injury player.
I think it is hard, and with tennis being an independent contractor sport there isn’t much help. I’d be surprised if the challenger circuit observed protected rankings like the one Fish took advantage of in his last events on tour this year. That would be a relief to play at a top 200 ranking versus mod 500s or unranked.
Dan Markowitz · November 4, 2015 at 2:23 pm
Something must be wrong with JJ. Not only is he losing in the quails of slams, he’s losing in the first round. He did better a couple of years ago. I had an email chat with him where he said I could interview him for an article I wrote on black tennis players, but he never got back to him. I told him if he traveled to L.A., he could work with Vince where Vince wouldn’t charge him anything for the sessions. He’d make his money if JJ moved up in the rankings. But again, he never got back to me.
Brian Baker is an historic player. He was a middling player, although he always had a lot of hype around him, when he came back from his injuries/surgeries, and he did propel himself high into the mix, at least of the top American players. But injuries/surgeries cut down players more than anything else except for maybe bad attitudes and not working hard.
Part of Izzie’s success has been that he’s stayed remarkably injury-free. Q-Ball met his demise when he suffered that wrist injury when he was playing some very nice ball. It’s nice he’s come back, but he’s never had the same projection or confidence since.
Tiafoe looks like he has the body and the game and the sweet karma to go far.
Scoop Malinowski · November 5, 2015 at 7:01 am
Tennis is a tough business – Brian Barker Jamie Hampton and many others on the verge of becoming steady elite professionals and they are wrecked by injury as their bodies just can’t handle the grind and punishment this game inflicts –
Scoop Malinowski · November 5, 2015 at 7:03 am
JJ has struggled, lotta losses not many important building block wins – the losing wears on you after a while, it’s hard to keep going – even in the USTA I play some good players who just don’t win, they try a few tournaments and lose and they disappear – the ones who stick around are the ones who can win – survival of the fittest on all levels – Brian Baker was a unique player – clearly he had game, after SIX years out of the sport he got back to top fifty and finaled in the ATP Nice or Lyon France tournament then it all came crashing down when he hurt his knee vs Querrey at Aus Open tied at a set apiece – he’s been recovering and rebuilding his body ever since, that was about three years ago – all that talent all that experience and he can’t play –
Scoop Malinowski · November 5, 2015 at 9:42 am
Ksenia Pervak, 24 of Russia, has retired from professional tennis – another good young player finished – tough business – saw her play a few times, had the game just didn’t get enough of the big wins –
Moskova Moskova · November 5, 2015 at 11:12 am
didnt some WTA player just die on court last AO ?…what’s the scoop on the scoop ?….drugs ? heat ?
sharoten · November 5, 2015 at 12:51 pm
“Spadea basically refused to have any kind of surgery during his career–he still doesn’t and he has a serious knee injury–because the guy just didn’t trust coming back after undergoing the knife.”
Rafa is another one who refused to have any kind of surgery going back to 2005 when a congenitally defective bone in his foot splintered and continuing through all of his knee problems and then last year the wrist and the back. Who’s to say whether that was wise or not as he certainly has missed a lot of valuable time during his career rehabbing and trying every other treatment his doctors could come up with including platelet therapy and then stem cell therapy.
Perhaps surgery would have helped on some of those occasions but there are too many guys whose careers have been ended after their operations. Rafa’s slams and numerous other achievements would seem to suggest he made the right decisions.
Scoop Malinowski · November 5, 2015 at 1:41 pm
I recently interviewed Bill Barber who is the all time leading goal scorer in the playoffs for the Philadelphia Flyers – he hyperextended his knee and it bothered him for years but he still played, then finally had the reconstructive surgery on it in 84 and he never played again – so I guess you are right, surgery could be a career ender –
Scoop Malinowski · November 5, 2015 at 1:45 pm
How about the big win by Isner beating Federer in Paris 76 36 76 – another very big win by an American – American tennis is storming back into prominence – and perhaps world domination again 🙂
Dan Markowitz · November 5, 2015 at 4:04 pm
That’s a big win for Izzie, but I hate to play Mr. Party Pooper again, but what were Izzie’s slam results this year? I’ll tell you, 3rd rd Aussie, RG and Wimby and 4th Rd of USO. I don’t have to tell you that’s not good. And that’s been the pattern of his entire career. He’s reached one slam quarters. One! He lost to guys like Chardy and Muller in slams. Come on, you really think just because he beats Fed at an indoor event after Fed just won a tournament last week, that suddenly Izzie’s going to make a slam finals?!
I’m not saying its impossible, but it’s impossible.
Moskova Moskova · November 5, 2015 at 5:52 pm
Couldn’t have said it better Dan….izzies gotta do better in slams…what is he the 250 tourna level king ?…..that’s like youhzny who was known as the greatest practice match player of all time – did not lose in practice lol
Moskova Moskova · November 5, 2015 at 5:57 pm
Scoop you gotta share which mind expanding / reality altering substances you use because your fancies are quiet lofty !!….ludicrous speed, go !! Lol
Andrew Miller · November 5, 2015 at 7:03 pm
Isner win a great one. He’s beaten an admittedly older Federer as many times as Roddick in fewer matches. I’d like to see a non-Riddick u.s. Player win a Masters. Hasn’t happened.
Isner is due. He wins a Masters and I’m willing to say he’s better than Blake. And for Gimelstob, a win vs Federer means he’s been a success and done at least as well as any other coach Isner has had, all of whom have more significant coaching experience.
As for actual winning a masters, Isner is capable. Doing it is another story. But it would easily be the most significant title for a us player since Roddicks Miami title.
Andrew Miller · November 5, 2015 at 7:07 pm
And it isn’t like no names win Masters…they have been almost single handedly won by big four with a few upsets here and there. No Nalbandian around to rule the indoor season .
Scoop Malinowski · November 5, 2015 at 7:50 pm
Being able to successfully Isnerize Federer again is going to be a huge boost for Isner’s confidence – this is the kind of win he’s been waiting for – now the fear factor is there for anyone who has to play Isner – this win validates Gimelstob’s coaching – will be very interesting to see how many more ATPers will be unable to thwart themselves from being Isnerized : 0
Scoop Malinowski · November 5, 2015 at 7:52 pm
Nice wins in Charlottesville by Paul who blasted out Nielsen 6363 – really put the beatdown on him from 33 in the second – Paul is looking very explosive – Kozlov took out Rice in three, Rice had beaten the second seed –
Dan Markowitz · November 5, 2015 at 8:50 pm
But the most impressive win in C’ville was Rubin taking out JD. Rubin is an intriguing player. I saw him play Pella at the Open this year and I think he lost in either 4 or 5, but man is he quick. And this is the Kalamazoo and Wimby Jr. champ. Rubin has been pretty much looked over in this teen generation group, and he’s like 5-8, but we might just be seeing the dawning of the American Ferrer.
I know Moskova, I’m getting very over my head, but that’s a nice win for Noah.
Scoop Malinowski · November 6, 2015 at 7:53 am
It’s most likely Rubin’s biggest win of his life – Donaldson is top 150 in the world – Rubin is criticized for his size and lack of weapons but obviously he has got a helluva game and yes his speed is phenomenal – Tiafoe was dismissed by Kuznetsov with a bagel in third set – looked tired but he was probably feigning that front – Kuznetsov seemed to be fronting the fatigued look too –
Harold · November 6, 2015 at 9:02 am
Rubin = Goldstein
Same career on the horizon for little Noah. Career Challenger player.
Harold · November 6, 2015 at 9:05 am
The opening line of this thread has been used here 100 times.
” Whatever happened to ( insert name) who showed so much promise getting to the semi’s( insert onscure Challenger tourn).
Moskova Moskova · November 6, 2015 at 11:50 am
@ Dan…i was gona say noah is the american hewitt ! 😉
Moskova Moskova · November 6, 2015 at 11:53 am
@ Harold….couldnt have said it better ! 🙂
i wish scoop would share his substance regime so we can be as optimistic and inflated so often. LOL
Moskova Moskova · November 6, 2015 at 11:56 am
and it’s a good win for izzie….W is a W regadless..
let’s see if can finish the week out or replicate it at a slam next year….otherwise, izzie’s the king of 250’s..
Moskova Moskova · November 6, 2015 at 12:09 pm
i’m still 50/50 on wawa vs. rafa..
Dan Markowitz · November 6, 2015 at 12:42 pm
Harold, seriously, Rubin’s 19. He just knocked off Donaldson, how can you compare him to Goldstein? How many times have you seen Rubin play? And Goldie was not a career Challenger player, he got to like #73 and won a couple of rounds in a slam I think. You don’t know Rubin’s game unless you hung out a lot at the Johnny Mac Academy or at Wake Forest. Give the young guy a chance. Maybe he can be the American Solly.
Izzie’s battling Ferrer, but this is the reason why it’s so tough for him to make a big slam breakthrough. He has trouble with the Ferrer and Kohlschreiber’s but Izzie’s playing better. No reason why US should not be the team to beat in 16 Davis Cup unless the Swiss and French and Spain put their best teams out.
Scoop Malinowski · November 6, 2015 at 12:56 pm
Rubin seems to be quicker than PGoldstein – and more successful as a junior – don’t recall PG ever being a contender of any junior majors – Rubin won Jr Wimbledon – this is a big win to beat a Donaldson – we need to hire a statistician here at TP to look up when Goldstein’s first win over a top 150 player came – 🙂
Harold · November 6, 2015 at 1:20 pm
73 career high is qualie/challenger player. Have seen Rubin at US Open a couple of times and on Livestream a few times.
Too small. Speed is only weapon.
Moskova Moskova · November 6, 2015 at 2:24 pm
down goes isner !
Andrew Miller · November 6, 2015 at 2:45 pm
Ferrer d Isner. Ran away with it in third.
Murray d Gasquet, also in 3.
Djoko vs Berdych
Nadal vs Wawrinka.
Guess that’s it for the Izz for 2015. Ferrer has been as good as ever, great player.
Scoop Malinowski · November 6, 2015 at 7:23 pm
It seemed Hewitt’s only weapon was speed too but he turned out ok –
Scoop Malinowski · November 6, 2015 at 7:24 pm
Izner ends up at #11 his best season ending rank ever – a very good debut campaign for the Isneltob tandem –
Andrew Miller · November 6, 2015 at 7:25 pm
Harrison. Last year he made qf Charlottesville. This year, bowed out early. At least he’s just outside the top 100. Maybe he’ll head to Australia early. He worked hard to get out of the funk. But its probably disappointing to have a good first quarter and come up empty for most of the year .
He’s still got a good coach, a better game. He’s in the same boat DY was in at end of 2013.
Harold · November 6, 2015 at 8:15 pm
Did you see early Hewitt? He had very good hands, down the line backhand was sweet. Great passing shots when people came in against him.
Then there was his topspin lobs. A thing of beauty. Forehand never held up late was his weakness.
Mentioning him in the same breath as Rubin is weak. Sorry
Scoop Malinowski · November 7, 2015 at 8:01 am
Yes and Hewitt also had a fury desire swagger and intensity that Rubin does not – or at least on just an ordinary level – nobody fought harder or wanted it as much as young Hewitt who could beat the big boys even as a sixteen year old – Hewitt was a miraculous incredible player –
Scoop Malinowski · November 7, 2015 at 8:56 am
Look at young Fed and young Nadal as kids play tennis in this video – Fed is pouty – Cal looks just about at this level Dan — https://www.facebook.com/45639378899/videos/10153324110098900/