Mikhail Youzhny

Mikhail Youzhny is a Russian former professional tennis player who was ranked inside the top 10 and was a former Russian No. 1. He reached a career peak of World No. 8 and advanced to the semifinals of the US Open twice.

Nicknamed "Misha" and "Colonel," he won 10 ATP Tour-level singles titles and was a member of Russia's winning Davis Cup team in both 2002 and 2006.

Player Profile and Personal Life

Mikhail Mikhailovich Youzhny was born on June 25, 1982, in Moscow, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union. He stands 183 cm tall, and he plays right-handed with a one-handed backhand. He currently resides in Moscow.

Youzhny's father, Mikhail, was a Soviet army colonel, and his mother, Lubov, was a professional tennis player. His father sacrificed his career in the Soviet army to guide Mikhail and his older brother, Andrei, into becoming tennis players. At the age of 13, Mikhail was a ball boy for a Davis Cup final in Moscow. His career coach for almost two decades was Boris Sobkin.

Professional Career

Youzhny turned professional in 1999. He achieved a top-10 singles ranking for the first time in August 2007 and reached a career peak of World No. 8 in January 2008, and again in October 2010.

Youzhny was a consistent performer at all majors, reaching the quarterfinals of all four Grand Slam tournaments. His best results were reaching the semifinals of the US Open in 2006 and 2010. His run in 2006 was particularly impressive, as he upset World No. 2 Rafael Nadal in the quarterfinals.

He won ten singles titles on the ATP Tour, with his best season coming in 2010 when he reached five ATP finals, winning two of them and ending the year as a top-10 player. Youzhny was a key member of Russia's national team, playing a crucial role in their Davis Cup victories in both 2002 and 2006.

Youzhny retired from professional tennis in 2018.

Career Record

Singles

• Career record: 499–416 (54.5%)
• Career titles: 10
• Highest ranking: No. 8 (January 28, 2008)

Best Grand Slam Singles Performances

• Australian Open – QF (2008)
• French Open – QF (2010)
• Wimbledon – QF (2012)
• US Open – SF (2006, 2010)

Other tournaments (Singles)

• Tour Finals – Alt (2010)
• Olympic Games – QF (2004)

Doubles

• Career record: 154–193 (44.4%)
• Career titles: 9
• Highest ranking: No. 38 (April 11, 2011)

Best Grand Slam Doubles Performances

• Australian Open – QF (2014)
• French Open – 3R (2006)
• Wimbledon – 1R (2004, 2006, 2014, 2015, 2016)
• US Open – QF (2006)

Team competitions

• Davis Cup – W (2002, 2006)