← Sidebar

By Scoop Malinowski

Status: ATP ranked no. 166 in singles. Was ranked at a career high 58 in March of 2017 when he suffered a season-ending knee surgery at Miami Open while leading Jack Sock.

Ht: 5-7 Wt: 145

DOB: September 27, 1995 In: Tsu, Japan

First Tennis Memory: “I remember I play tournament, I think first time tournament, I was seven years old maybe, with mom. It’s doubles. I remember that tournament.”

Last Book Read: “Actually I don’t read. I read only Manga (Japanese comics).”

Current Car: “I cannot drive. I don’t have license.”

First Famous Player You Met Or Encountered: “Shuzo (Matsuoka).”

Greatest Career Moment: “[Pause]…I have so many memories…maybe…maybe when I got gold medal in Asian Games.”

Most Painful Moment: “Worst moment…that’s a tough question. I don’t know what was the worst. Maybe I forgot everything [laughs].”

Favorite Sport Outside Tennis: “I love soccer.”

Funniest Player: “I love Marcelo Rios. (Why?) Because he’s very talented on the court so I love to watch him.”

Embarrassing Tennis Memory: “It’s not professional tennis but when I was a junior I was winning 5-0 and then opponent coming back (and won) thirteen games in a row [smiles]. Then I lost. The kid was trying the same thing but I cannot get a game. I was up 5-0 and then down 57 06. In Japan tournament.”

Favorite Meal: “Japanese food, it’s called Yakinuki (grilled meat cuisine).”

Favorite Ice Cream Flavor: “Chocolate mint.”

Why Do You Love Tennis: “In the beginning my dad start in tennis. So that’s why I play tennis. But…I don’t know why. I didn’t think of why I love tennis but I love to, like, battle the opponent. It’s not fighting but it’s using everything, skill, speed, power. And then if I beat the opponent I’m very happy. And then if I lost I’m gonna be mad. But I’m gonna think why I lost. So I like the challenge.”

Tennis Inspirations: “First one – Nadal. And then second one – Verdasco. And now it’s Rios.”

People Qualities Most Admired: “One is very kind for the people to the other person. And then other one maybe funny. Funny people.”

Japan · Nishioka · Yonex tennis

<< Biofile: Stefan Kozlov

Heart of a Champion: Ivan Lendl >>