Status: ATP #65. Career high ranking was #33 in August 2012.
From: Uzbekistan.
Age: 26.
First Tennis Memory: “When I came on the court with my mom [Klaudiya Istomina], she was coach. And I just take the racquet and go hit the ball on the wall. And I was like playing for two hours on the wall. That’s my first memory of tennis.”
Tennis Inspirations: “Everybody wants to be a good player, win a Grand Slam, be No. 1. So for me, the same.”
Last Book Read: “Paulo Coelho The Alchemist.”
Greatest Sports Moment: “I think the greatest moment – when I play first match in Grand Slam against Roger Federer [2006 Australian Open].”
Most Painful Moment: “I think it’s my car accident [driving to Futures tournament in Tashkent in 2001]. I was in hospital for three months and I have to stop playing tennis for 2 1/2 years.”
First Famous Tennis Player You Met Or Encountered: “It was Marat Safin and he was playing in Tashkent ATP tournament. I was small. I won junior tournament in Tashkent and he gave us the present.”
Closest Tennis Friends: “Mikhail Elgin, Andrey Golubev.”
Funniest Player Encountered: “Michael Llodra.”
Strangest Match: “Actually it was the longest match in my career. I played the Ecuadorian guy [Nicolas] Lapentti in U.S. Open. I beat him 7-6 in the fifth. The match was like only rallies and it was a tough, tough match for me. And I think, for me, it was the more unusual, normally I play not so long but with him I play for five hours. It was long match.”
Current Car: “Actually I have a Peugeot 308 in Moscow now.”
Favorite Sport Outside Tennis: “Soccer.”
Three Athletes You Like To Watch & Follow: “Didier Drogba. I’d say Roger Federer. And I think Yelena Isinbayeva [Russian pole vaulter].”
People Qualities Most Admired: “I think it’s good to be friendly, like open for everybody, and just talk with everybody. And be funny.”
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Credits: Cover Photo: Feruza48 (Creative Commons License)
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