Yevgeny Kafelnikov facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Yevgeny Kafelnikov

Yevgeny Kafelnikov in 2023
Full name	Yevgeny Aleksandrovich Kafelnikov
Country (sports)	Russia
Residence	Sochi, Russia
Born	(1974-02-18) 18 February 1974 (age 51) Sochi, Russian SFSR, Soviet Union
Height	1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)
Turned pro	1992
Retired	2010 (last match 2003)
Plays	Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Prize money	$23,883,797 25th all-time leader in earnings
Int. Tennis HoF	2019 (member page)
Singles
Career record	609–306 (66.56%) (66.6%)
Career titles	26
Highest ranking	No. 1 (3 May 1999)
Grand Slam singles results
Australian Open	W (1999)
French Open	W (1996)
Wimbledon	QF (1995)
US Open	SF (1999, 2001)
Other tournaments
Tour Finals	F (1997)
Grand Slam Cup	SF (1995, 1996)
Olympic Games	W (2000)
Doubles
Career record	358–213 (62.7%) (62.7%)
Career titles	27
Highest ranking	No. 4 (30 March 1998)
Grand Slam doubles results
Australian Open	QF (1995, 1999)
French Open	W (1996, 1997, 2002)
Wimbledon	SF (1994, 1995)
US Open	W (1997)
Team competitions
Davis Cup	W (2002)
Medal record Olympic Games – Tennis Gold 2000 Sydney Singles

Yevgeny Aleksandrovich Kafelnikov (born 18 February 1974) is a Russian former professional tennis player. He was once ranked as the world No. 1 in men's singles. This was decided by the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP).

Kafelnikov won 26 singles titles during his career. These included two major Grand Slam tournaments: the 1996 French Open and the 1999 Australian Open. He also won an Olympic gold medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympics. Yevgeny also won four major doubles titles. Three of these were at the French Open and one at the US Open. He is the most recent man to have won both the men's singles and doubles titles at the same major tournament. He achieved this amazing feat at the 1996 French Open. In 2019, Kafelnikov was honored by being inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

Tennis Career Highlights

Rising Through the Ranks (1994-1995)

In 1994, Yevgeny had a breakthrough year. He won three titles and reached a big final at the Hamburg Masters. He also defeated six players who were ranked in the world's top 5. His ranking jumped from 102 at the start of the year to 11 by the end.

In 1995, he reached his first Grand Slam semifinals. He beat the world No. 1 player, Andre Agassi, in the quarterfinals without losing a set. He also defeated three other top-10 players on his way to winning the title in Milan.

Grand Slam Victories (1996-1999)

At the 1996 French Open, Kafelnikov made history. He became the first Russian player to ever win a Grand Slam title. He defeated Michael Stich in the final. Before that, he had beaten the world No. 1, Pete Sampras, in the semifinals.

Kafelnikov reached the final of the 1997 ATP Tour World Championships and won three titles that season. In doubles, he won both the French Open and US Open with his partner Daniel Vacek.

In 1999, Kafelnikov, who was the 10th seed, won his second singles Grand Slam title at the Australian Open. He defeated Thomas Enqvist in the final. He also won tournaments in Rotterdam and Moscow. He was a runner-up at the Canadian Open and reached the semifinals of the US Open.

Olympic Gold and Later Years (2000-2003)

As the fifth seed, Kafelnikov won the gold medal in men's singles at the 2000 Olympic Games. He beat Gustavo Kuerten in the quarterfinals and Tommy Haas in a tough five-set final. He also reached the final of the Australian Open and the quarterfinals of the French Open that year.

In 2001, he defeated world No. 1 Gustavo Kuerten in the quarterfinals of the US Open. He then lost to Lleyton Hewitt in the semifinals. Kafelnikov was also a finalist at the Paris Masters. He reached the quarterfinals at the Australian Open and French Open. He won a record fifth straight title in Moscow.

Kafelnikov won his fourth and final doubles Grand Slam at the French Open in 2002. He partnered with Paul Haarhuis. He also won his final singles title in Tashkent. He was part of Russia's team that won the Davis Cup in 2002.

Kafelnikov played his last ATP Tour match in October 2003. In total, he won 53 titles in singles and doubles during his career. He is still the last male player to win both singles and doubles titles at the same Grand Slam event.

Kafelnikov in the Kremlin, 2002

Life After Tennis

Since retiring from professional tennis, Yevgeny Kafelnikov has explored other interests. He has played in poker tournaments. He also enjoys playing golf and has competed in events on the European Tour. In 2011, he won the Russian Amateur Open Championship of Golf.

Kafelnikov has also coached other tennis players. During the 2008 Miami Masters, he coached Marat Safin. In 2009 and 2010, he played in the ATP Champions Tour, which is for retired professional tennis players. He finished third in some of these tournaments.

In 2019, Yevgeny Kafelnikov was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame. This was a great honor for his achievements in tennis.

Other Interests

• Kafelnikov is a big fan of the football club Spartak Moscow FC.
• He was featured in Virtua Tennis, a popular arcade tennis video game.

Awards and Recognition

• 1994–1999, 2001: He received the Russian Cup as the Male Player of the Year.
• 2000: He was awarded the Russian Cup as the Male Player of the Century.
• 2002: He received the Russian Cup in the category of Team of the Year with his Davis Cup teammates.

See also

In Spanish: Yevgueni Káfelnikov para niños