Kafelnikov: The Man Who Sparked Tennis' Russian Revolution

[Mainad]

He was the first Russian player to be ranked ATP World #1.

"In the latest profile on the 26 players to rise to No. 1 in the FedEx ATP Rankings, ATPTour.com looks back on the career of Yevgeny Kafelnikov.

First week at No. 1: 3 May 1999
Total weeks at No. 1: 6

Yevgeny Kafelnikov: The Man Who Sparked Tennis' Russian Revolution | ATP Tour | Tennis

In the latest profile on the 26 players to rise to No. 1 in the FedEx ATP Rankings, ATPTour.com looks back on the career of Yevgeny Kafelnikov, the first Russian Grand Slam champion.

www.atptour.com

 

[boredone3456]

Good Read. I never knew he played on the World Series of Poker.

 

[Mainad]

Good Read. I never knew he played on the World Series of Poker.

Obviously a multi-talented chap. Doesn't Nadal play poker too?

 

[stringertom]

One of only two male singles slam champions to play Fischer racquets when winning the title. Should have been more than Eugene and Stich.

 

[JasonZ]

zero charisma, boring

 

[Deleted member 22147]

Kafelnikov was indeed boring most of the time and a major bottler. He seemed to take the sport seriously enough. 0 Masters Series and something like 8 finals. Won the Olympics which nobody seemed to care that much about.

I still liked him, but comparing Safin to Kafelnikov is a joke. Kafelnikov had a good 8 years of health in his career and still didn't win as much

 

[travlerajm]

Nice strokes

 

[jrepac]

He had the game, but not the will, it seemed to me. In the big matches, he did not 'bring it'

 

[Mainad]

He had the game, but not the will, it seemed to me. In the big matches, he did not 'bring it'

Well, it seems he did on at least 3 occasions.

 

[travlerajm]

He was confident enough in his game to call his grand slam final opponent a choker the day before beating him in the final.

 

[michael valek]

Ivan drago. Just jokin’

 

[Phoenix1983]

Well, it seems he did on at least 3 occasions.

Twice, or am I missing something?

 

[Mainad]

Twice, or am I missing something?

2 Slams and an Olympics (all Bo5 finals).

 

[DSH]

Would he have won the AO 1999 if Sampras had participated?

 

[Phoenix1983]

Would he have won the AO 1999 if Sampras had participated?

Hard to say. Kafelnikov never beat PETE on a hard court. Then again, PETE was liable to be upset relatively early at the AO (see 1996, 1998), so he might not have had to play the great man in any case.

 

[donkus_the_3rd]

Safin dumps on him.

 

[Mainad]

Would he have won the AO 1999 if Sampras had participated?

I believe he publicly thanked Pete for not playing.

 

[Subway Tennis]

Nice strokes

Very clean, uncluttered technique. Could take the ball very early and use an opponent's pace against them.

Great hands and a very smooth game.

His day-in day-out durability may have been a mixture of his great genes and his technique, which always looked so efficient.

Obviously a multi-talented chap. Doesn't Nadal play poker too?

I think he might be a pretty decent golfer, too.

 

[Poisoned Slice]

Part of a Wimbledon iconic moment as well.

 

[NicoMK]

Fantastic backhand.

 

[buscemi]

Hard to say. Kafelnikov never beat PETE on a hard court. Then again, PETE was liable to be upset relatively early at the AO (see 1996, 1998), so he might not have had to play the great man in any case.

19 year-old Kafelnikov took Sampras to 9-7 in the fifth set at the 1994 AO, where Pete went on to win the title. It was the second round, so Pete wasn't in his championship form yet, but Yevgeny was also far from his peak. Even though Kafelnikov never beat Sampras on hard, I feel like Rebound Ace would have given him his greatest chance. Yevgeny had little problem breaking/passing him on the surface back in '94:

 

[sargeinaz]

I really like his strokes. Love his backhand. Had power and hit relatively flat. Could finish at the net. Plus he used Fischer rackets ❤️