Rosjanin, urodzony 25 czerwca 1982 r. w Moskwie. Praworęczny, jednoręczny bekhend. W karierze wygrał 4 zawodowe turnieje.
To podstawowe informacje, z których w zasadzie nic nie wynika, a jeśli, to obraz fałszywy. Bo Misza to jeden z bardziej utalentowanych zwodników ostatnich lat, posiadający bardzo eleganckie techniki uderzeń, oraz niebanalny zmysł taktyczny; niestety nie miało to większego przełożenia na wyniki.
Niesamowity mecz z Mathieu, którym zdobył Puchar Davisa, finałowa wygrana z młodym Corią w Stuttgatcie(5 setów na cegle!), wreszcie odniesione w wielkim stylu wygrane z Rafaelem Nadalem, to wszytko dowodzi potencjału Rosjanina.
Jużnemu brakuje dwóch elementów, niezbędnych do wygrywania naprawdę wielkich rzeczy. Zdrowia to raz, ale przede wszytskim mocnej psychiki. Na tegorocznym AO wydawało się, że wszytko jest możliwe; Federer, wielokrotny kat Miszy, był słaby, jak się potem okazało, chory; Rafa jeszcze nie był w pełnej formie i był całkowicie w zasięgu.
Po raz pierwszy pojawiła się u mnie nieśmiała myśl, że może teraz..., ale tylko na chwile ;] Kto widział mecz z Tsongą, ten wie, że Misza nigdy niczego wielkiego nie ugra. Smecze pakowane w siatke, stojąc metr od niej, śmierć w oczach, nogi z waty...
Teraz przyszły kontuzje, wynikające w dużej części z nieroztropnej polityki startowej i raczej ciężko liczyć na powrót do dużej formy. Szkoda, bo był to materiał na czołowego zawodnika ATP.
Robertinho napisał:
Federer, wielokrotny kat Miszy, był słaby, jak się potem okazało
Kat, ale tylko w meczach o punkty. Kiedyś słyszałem, że często obaj trenowali i Jużny wygrywał z Rogerem podczas treningów jak chciał. To dowodzi potencjału Miszy, no ale co z tego, skoro bez presji niejeden gra tak, że aż sam w to nie wierzy.
Faktycznie, te 4 wygrane turnieje to powinno być minimum w ciągu jednego sezonu, w zestawieniu z wszechstronnością i potencjałem Michaiła jest to liczba wręcz śmieszna.
To jedyny zawodnik, którego nie darzę sympatią. Kojarzy mi się z absolutną błazenadą i pajacowaniem na korcie i tym typem luzactwa, na które mam ciężką alergię. Tenisowo jest fantastyczny. Szkoda, że taki zawodnik , mam wrażenie nie do końca traktuje poważnie swój zawód i nie do końca wie, co w tym męskim tenisie robi.
DUN I LOVE napisał:
Robertinho napisał:
Federer, wielokrotny kat Miszy, był słaby, jak się potem okazało
Kat, ale tylko w meczach o punkty. Kiedyś słyszałem, że często obaj trenowali i Jużny wygrywał z Rogerem podczas treningów jak chciał. To dowodzi potencjału Miszy, no ale co z tego, skoro bez presji niejeden gra tak, że aż sam w to nie wierzy.
Tak, tak, też o tym słyszłem. Swego czasu pewien dziennikarz tenisowy, a przy tym dobry amator, miał okazje sparować z Samprasem. Zagrali seta i to o 100 dolarów, wygrał dzinnikarz. Zapewne dowodzi to jego ogromnego potencjału. :D Akurat wyniki gierek treningowych, zwłaszcza w przypadku Feda, powinny być traktowane z pewną dozą rezerwy ;)
A Miszowe luzerstwo trzeba po prostu lubić, może i satysfakcja zwykle marna, ale za to jaka adrenalina. ;)
I do mnie dotarły wieści o bohaterskim Michale wygrywającym 8 z 10 sparingów z Fedem , to naprawdę rewelacja , ale nie bardzo wiem po co ktoś puścił te wyniki w świat , chyba tylko po to by tym sposobem popastwić sie troche nad Youzhnym .
Trudno mi się podjąć charakterystyki takiego egzemplarza jak Misza , ale posiłkując się tymi "gierkami" z Rogerem samoistnie nasuwa mi się myśl że z jego zawodowym zyciem jest troche jak ... z chlopakiem i dziewczyną . Kochaja się , świata poza soba nie widzą , po prostu bajka . Ale gdy trzeba zacząc zyć razem , przychodzi czas dzielenia się klopotami , czas płacenia wspólnych rachunków , wszystko sie sypie , chyba tak samo jest z tenisem Miszy , czlowiekowi z takim mozliwościami pewnie nie trudno pokazać cała game umiejętności grając jeden z nic nie znaczących sparingów , a przeciez prawdziwą sztuką jest wykorzystać owe umiejętności w trakcie meczu gdy dochodza stres , presja , a także wprzypadku dłużej trwających potyczek ciemnośc przed oczami i ogień w płucach .
Dzis trudno wierzyć że Misza te zdolności kiedyś posiądzie . i trzeba nad tylko ubolewać bo ta kariera mogła i powinna ułozyc się bajkowo , ta historia z finału PD , kiedy wyszedł przy 2-2 by grac z Mathieu tylko dlatego że Safin z Kafelnikovem poprzedniego wieczora wyskoczyli w celach rekreacyjnych na Paryż , to swietny materiał na scenariusz filmowy .
Tak więc jak to ładnie ujął mój przedmówca Misze trzeba lubic i wielbić takiego jakim jest , bo przeciez my fani tenisa życia nie mierzymy oddechami , ale momentami w których dech nam zapiera , przy Juznym takich chwil było wiele :)
p.s
sorka za nadużywanie kolokwializmów :)
TYTUŁY MISZY
#1) Stuttgart 2002 (Mercedes Cup)
R32 Arazi, Hicham (MAR) 6-2 5-7 6-4
R16 Lapentti, Nicolas (ECU) 6-2 6-4
Q El Aynaoui, Younes (MAR) 6-3 6-2
S Burgsmuller, Lars (GER) 6-3 4-6 7-5
W Canas, Guillermo (ARG) 6-3 3-6 3-6 6-4 6-4 
#2) Sankt Petersburg 2004
R32 Ram, Andy (ISR) 2-6 7-6(3) 7-6(4)
R16 Mirnyi, Max (BLR) 7-5 3-6 6-2
Q Benneteau, Julien 6-0 6-1
S Rusedski, Greg (GBR 3-6 6-3 6-4
W Beck, Karol 6-2 6-2
#3) Rotterdam 2007
R32 Berdych, Tomas (CZE) 6-4 6-7(5) 6-1
R16 Haase, Robin (NED) 6-2 6-4
Q Ferrer, David (ESP) 6-2 7-5
S Djokovic, Novak (SRB) 3-6 7-6(7) 7-5
W Ljubicic, Ivan (CRO) 6-2 6-4 
#4) Chennai 2008
R32 Vanek, Jiri (CZE) 6-3 6-2
R16 Roger-Vasselin, Edouard (FRA) 7-5 1-6 6-2
Q Malisse, Xavier (BEL) 6-4 6-4
S Cilic, Marin (CRO) 6-2 6-3
W Nadal, Rafael (ESP) 6-0 6-1
Mało wygral, na pewno za malo jak na taki talent i zagrania jakimi dysponuje. Gosc nie ma mocnej psychiki, dzieki ktorej moglby poradzic sobie z presja zawodowej gry w tenisa. W dodatku ostatnio strasznie obnizyl loty, moze teraz po porazce z Kolbą odpocznie od tenisa i wroci w styczniu grajac na podobnym poziomie co jeszcze rok temu.
Wilelki talent, niektórzy mówią że wielki błazen, wygrał zdecydowanie za mało jak na swoje możliwości
Brawa za finał z Tsongą, szkoda no ale któryś musiał być lepszy.
#5) Moskwa 2009
R32 H.Zeballos 6/1 7/6
R16 P.Starace 6/1 6/1
QF S.Stakhovsky 6/3 6/3
SF M.Kukushin 6/2 6/1
W J.Tipsarević 6/7 6/0 6/4
Graty Wariacie!
Misza wspaniale ukoronował 10-lecie swojej kariery. Właśnie tu w Moskwie, przed dekadą rozpoczynał swoją zawodową przygodę z tenisem. :)
Ostatnio Jużny robi znakomite wyniki. Niedawno był w finale w Tokio. Nie mogło to zostać niezauważone przez ranking. Rosjanin okupuje 30 miejsce, a od jutra będzie już 25 graczem globu :D Mam nadzieję, że jeszcze trochę podskoczy, by uniknąć niekorzystnego losowania w Melbourne.
Jakby się Michaś wcześniej zebrał do kupy, to kto wie, może i by do Londynu pojechał :P
Youzhny Maintains Home Rule In Moscow, Wins Fifth ATP World Tour Title
Mikhail Youzhny maintained home rule at the Kremlin Cup on Sunday, extending the Russian title streak in Moscow to six consecutive years with a 6-7(5), 6-0, 6-4 victory over first-time ATP World Tour finalist Janko Tipsarevic of Serbia. Youzhny is the 14th Russian to win the title in the ATP World Tour 250 tournament’s 20-year history.
Youzhny, appearing at the indoor hard-court event for the 11th straight year, earned 250 South African Airways 2009 ATP Rankings points and $170,000 in prize money. Tipsarevic won 150 points and $91,000 in prize money.
"This is my most important title for sure, to win at home in front of family and friends is just incredible," said Youzhny. "I had never played well here, I was always too nervous. If I can play well now and win under this pressure, it is very important for me."
Third seed Youzhny capitalised on a nervous start by Tipsarevic to open up a 3-0 lead, but was quickly pinned back. In the tie-break, sixth seed Tipsarevic created a mini-break at 3-1. He won 69 per cent of service points and hit seven aces overall in the 63-minute first set.
It only fired Youzhny into action. The 27-year-old Muscovite converted three of nine break point opportunities in the first, third and fifth games to win the second set in 43 minutes and level the pair’s third meeting.
Youzhny maintained the momentum by breaking Tipsarevic's serve in a 10-minute opening game to the third set. He confirmed the service break with a love service game for a 2-0 lead.
The 25-year-old Tipsarevic kept in touch with four straight service holds, saving four match points at 3-5 in the third set, but Youzhny was not to be denied and wrapped up his fifth ATP World Tour title in his 11 final by sealing victory in two hours and 45 minutes.
"I had so many chances in the final set to win more easily," admitted Youzhny. "Two games lost from 0-40 on his serve. But I kept telling myself to go for it."
Youzhny snapped a two-match losing streak against Tipsarevic, who won previous meetings in 2008 at the ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament in Rotterdam and Sony Ericsson Open in Miami.
World No. 30 Youzhny improved to 13-10 at the tournament and to a 37-26 match record on the season, which includes runner-up finishes at the BMW Open in Munich (l. to Berdych) and the Rakuten Japan Open Tennis Championships in Tokyo (l. to Tsonga).
Russian players are 14-3 overall in Kremlin Cup finals with two of the losses coming against countrymen. "Twenty years ago, for the first Kremlin Cup, I was here watching the matches with my father and I was also a ball kid here," said Youzhny. "It means so much to finally win here."
Tipsarevic was trying to become the sixth first-time winner on the ATP World Tour this year and the first non-Russian to win the Kremlin Cup since American Taylor Dent in 2003.
"I am disappointed, I played good but not good enough," said Tipsarevic. "Misha played better and fully deserved to win. After the first set I got tired and Misha was fresher than me. However, I kept fighting until the end and did not hand it to him."
World No. 46 Tipsarevic dropped to a 26-23 mark on the year. In May, he helped Serbia to a title at the ARAG ATP World Team Championship in Dusseldorf by winning three of four singles matches.
Gratulacje , a i wskazany powrót do Top Ten . Tam i tylko tam jest jego miejsce ;)
Youzhny upends Gasquet in epic 5-set battle
Mikhail Youzhny came back from two sets behind to defeat Richard Gasquet in a sensational Australian Open first-round clash on Tuesday.
Mikhail Youzhny battled his way past Richard Gasquet 6-7(9), 6-4, 7-6(2), 7-6(4), 6-4 in an outstanding first-round encounter. The quality of play was incredible in the enthralling contest.
The first set showcased high-quality tennis. Gasquet , already a break up, opened up a 15-40 lead at 1-4, but Youzhny hit a clever forehand and an ace to snuff out the threat. Gasquet earned himself another chance, but he wasted it by attempting an audacious return.
Youzhny came through the game unscathed and then hit a scorching backhand down the line to forge a 15-40 lead at 2-4. A beautifully disguised drop-shot was enough for the Russian to break back.
Both players held serve comfortably for the rest of the set and a thrilling tiebreak ensued. Youzhny was unable to take either of the set points he earned after taking a 6-4 lead, but an errant Gasquet forehand gave the Russian another chance. He again failed to convert, netting a volley, and he then double-faulted to hand Gasquet his first set point. The Frenchman couldn’t take it, but won the next point. Youzhny survived but lost the next two points to fall a set behind.
Youzhny seemed to have a first-set hangover at the start of the second, producing a woeful service game that allowed Gasquet to break him to love. The Frenchman promptly received treatment for a side problem that appeared to restrict his movement, but despite grimacing a number of times due to his injury, Gasquet lit up the set with wonderful shot-making. He played with exceptional grace and timing, often leaving Youzhny dumbstruck with the quality of his play. He won the set 6-4 with a comfortable service game.
Youzhny took the first break of the third set to go 3-1 up when Gasquet double-faulted at 30-40. The Russian seemed to have a new lease of life and Gasquet’s movement grew increasingly inhibited. The set stayed on serve until Youzhny stepped up to serve at 5-3. He played a horrible game to donate the break back to Gasquet. Another 'breaker was needed to decide the set and Youzhny raced through it, losing just two points.
Gasquet broke early in the fourth to go 2-0 clear, but Youhzny came up with a sensational game to break back for 2-3. The Russian’s level of play was outstanding for much of the set, but a thunderous Gasquet forehand gave him two match points at 5-6. Youzhny saved both with some fantastic play and then took the set to a another 'breaker. On set point up, he conjured a remarkable up-the-line backhand after tracking down an angled Gasquet volley.
The Russian was the first to make a move in the decisive frame of play. He crafted a lovely drop-shot to win a break point before Gasquet double-faulted to gift-wrap the game. Youzhny, though, started to cramp and surrendered his own serve immediately when he hit a smash wide.
The roller coaster classic then took another twist when Gasquet got a break to edge 3-2 ahead. Both players – Youzhny in particular - were struggling with aches and00just when it looked like the Russian was certain to make an exit--he cracked a forehand and broke back to love.
Youzhny then sealed a famous win. Gasquet, serving at 5-6 down, soon found himself in a 15-40 hole and could only find the net with a backhand.
Youzhny out with wrist injury
Russian Mikhail Youzhny has withdrawn from the men’s singles at Australian Open 2010 with a wrist injury. The No.20 seeded Russian said he was unable to recover from wrist pain that developed during the final stages of his five hour first round tussle with Frenchman Richard Gasquet.
"I cannot play backhand at all,” Youzhny explained on Saturday. “I can play little bit forehand, but still little bit pain.” Youzhny said he had felt the pain during his second round match against Czech Jan Hajek, even though he won convincingly 6-2 6-1 6-1.
Further medical treatment and pain-killers were unsuccessful in repairing the injury. This had been Youzhny’s tenth straight Australian Open. He said there had been no point testing his wrist out on court before today's match against Poland’s Lukasz Kubot.
“I understand it’s no chance to play well here ,“ he said, making the decision to withdraw after his doctor said that pain-killing injections and other treatment were futile and that further play could lead to a longer lay-off. “This is life sometimes. You have injury and you have to pull out if you cannot play.”
Youzhny’s withdrawal means that Kubot reaches the fourth round of a Grand Slam for the first time, setting up a potential encounter with world No. 3 Novak Djokovic should the Serb get past Denis Istomin. “Anything is possible,” said Kubot, when asked about his chances, “I’m looking forward to it.” Kubot says he had no inkling of Youzhny’s decision, going through his normal morning practice and preparations before the match. “It came as a total surprise.”
While wishing Mikhail well, Kubot said the turn of events would allow him to save energy. “I’m happy I’m having luck this year. I’m trying to enjoy every day out here in Australia.”
ao.com
Wywiad po wycofaniu się z AO10:
An interview with:
MIKHAIL YOUZHNY
THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.
Q. What's the problem?
MIKHAIL YOUZHNY: Wrist pain.
Q. Wrist pain?
MIKHAIL YOUZHNY: Yes.
Q. Which wrist?
MIKHAIL YOUZHNY: My right hand. I start to feel, you know, against Gasquet in last set a little bit. The next day was worse and worse little bit.
But I don't think I going to play. I was going to try, but was not. Hajek play a lot. He just give me chance to win. I'm not practice yesterday, just try to warm up today. And I feel I cannot.
Q. Did you have any treatment?
MIKHAIL YOUZHNY: No, I have treatment every day. I going to doctor every day. I have some anti‑pain pills. I do everything what I can do for these days, but it doesn't help.
Q. Do you know what it is? Is it tendinitis?
MIKHAIL YOUZHNY: Yes, first they say just tired because I play five hours. First match in the season after big rest. First of all, they say just tired the tendons and muscles.
But after like three, four days, it's same situation. I don't do picture or something. I just want to come back to Moscow and start to make...
Q. You didn't practice yesterday at all?
MIKHAIL YOUZHNY: I didn't practice at all yesterday.
Q. You felt it today in the warmup?
MIKHAIL YOUZHNY: I cannot play backhand at all. I can play little bit forehand, but still little bit pain. I understand it's no chance to play well here. If I continue to play here, you know, I can miss a lot of time.
Q. Did you actually get to the court today?
MIKHAIL YOUZHNY: No. It's no reason, because I go to doctor. I ask, Is it possible to maybe take tablets? He said, Maybe it's possible, not hundred percent. But maybe in future will be much worse because without pain you will play harder and nobody knows what happens later.
Q. Have you had this before?
MIKHAIL YOUZHNY: No, first time.
Q. How disappointing is it after winning that long match now having to pull out?
MIKHAIL YOUZHNY: Yeah, you know, of course it's tough for me now because actually I play well. I ready to play. But this is life sometimes. You have injury and you have to pull out if you cannot play.
Q. Do you have any idea how long? Did the doctor say?
MIKHAIL YOUZHNY: No. He just tell me if I continue to play today, it could be really long. So but how long now, I hope not really long.
#6) Monachium 2010
R32 : Chardy 6/1 6/4
R16 : A.Beck 6/3 6/3
QF : Hajek 6/1 6/3
SF : Petzschner 7/5 7/6
F : Cilic 6/3 4/6 6/4
Brawo Misza! :)
Dobra robota :D
Wielkie brawa i czekam na wiecej:)
Youzhny Beats Cilic To Capture Munich Crown
On his third appearance in the Munich final, Mikhail Youzhny finally laid his hands on the BMW Open by FWU RETAKAFUL trophy with a hard-fought 6-3, 4-6, 6-4 victory over top seed Marin Cilic Sunday.
By virtue of winning the ATP World Tour 250 clay-court tennis tournament, World No. 15 Mikhail Youzhny received 250 South African Airways 2010 ATP Ranking points, €68,450 and also a new BMW 325i convertible from the title sponsor; while runner-up Cilic collected 150 ranking points and €35,980 in prize money.
The Russian, who had finished runner-up in the Munich final in 2007 (l. to Kohlschreiber) and 2009 (l. to Berdych), won his first ATP World Tour clay-court title since capturing his maiden trophy at the MercedesCup in Stuttgart (d. Canas) eight years ago.
Reflecting on his success in Munich, Youzhny said: “It is a good tournament, there is a nice atmosphere. I have a lot of friends here. It is a well-organised tournament for the players, whenever you need something they try to help and that’s important for the players.”
Victory also halted a run of three successive final defeats for Youzhny. Since winning his fifth ATP World Tour title in Moscow (d. Tipsarevic) last October, the Muscovite had finished runner-up in Valencia (l. to Murray) in November and this season in Rotterdam (l. to Soderling) and Dubai (l. to Djokovic).
The 27-year-old Youzhny went into the final with the confidence of a 3-0 career lead over Cilic and made a dream start to the match as he raced to a 3-0 advantage before going on to close out the first set.
The No. 11-ranked Cilic was quick to respond, breaking serve at the first opportunity in the second set and, despite being pegged back by Youzhny, was able to break again in the 10th game to level the match at one set apiece.
In a close deciding set, Youzhny saved one break point in the fourth game before breaking Cilic’s serve to love in the seventh game. The Russian then held his nerve to serve out victory in two hours and 51 minutes.
“It was a really tough match," assessed Youzhny. "There were some tough moments for me. At the beginning of the third set I think two or three of my games were going from deuce to advantage and back to deuce, so it was really tough."
“The momentum swung in different ways in the first, second and third sets," said Cilic. "I think I missed my chances at the beginning of the third set when I had a break point and after that he was trying to get back into it. I think my fatigue made a slight difference in the end when I missed a couple of easy balls on my serve. He served pretty good all through the match and didn’t miss too many easy balls, so it was really tough. But I was fighting very well and I’m pleased with that."
The 21-year-old Cilic was bidding to become the first three-time winner on the ATP World Tour this season, having already defended his titles in Chennai (d. Wawrinka) and Zagreb (d. Berrer). The Croatian, also a semi-finalist at the Australian Open (l. to Murray) in January, has compiled a 25-7 mark on the season.
If Mikhaïl Youzhny were a beach…
Russia’s Mikhail Youzhny, world No.14, will come up against Serbia’s Viktor Troicki in the third round. He’s been a frequent flyer since he was ten years old… and he likes it that way. Buckle your seatbelts for another exciting interview, this time with a travel theme.
What’s the most relaxing city?
I know it’s not the most relaxing city for everyone, but home in Moscow is where I feel the best.
The city where you’d like to own a house?
Moscow and no where else!
The best beaches ?
Are there any better beaches than in the Maldives?
The best restaurant?
Georges, in Miami. A fantastic Italian restaurant.
The most amazing place?
The Wailing Wall in Jerusalem. I went there with Russia for a Davis Cup match. The place was amazing, so symbolic.
Your travelling partners?
My coach, my wife Yulia and sometimes my mother.
The thing you like least about travelling?
Well, nothing really. Travelling is one the best things about this profession. And anyway, I’ve been travelling since I was small, so I’m used to it.
The best crowd?
The French crowd! I’m not just saying that because I’m at the French Open, I really think that. The French know their tennis. They encourage their players without insulting the opponents. It was something I experienced during the Davis Cup at Bercy. They’re tennis connoisseurs.
The best-organised tournament?
Dubai and Moscow.
The country with the best looking girls?
Russia. Obviously [laughs].
Your best friend on the circuit?
Sergiy Stakhovsky, but also most of the other Russian and Ukrainian players.
US Open 2010 - wywiad po zwycięstwie w 3 rundzie
THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.
Q. John said he thought you were able to read his serve better than most of the other players. Do you feel that way? If so, why?
MIKHAIL YOUZHNY: Today was tough match. I returned well, but I have some problems in my serve. But maybe I was little bit lucky today that I have good return.
Q. What's it like out there when there is almost everybody for your opponent? Did you like that atmosphere? Did it bother you? Was it fun?
MIKHAIL YOUZHNY: No, was good atmosphere, but of course it's better to play not against guy from USA here. Because when is all crowd not against you but for your opponent, it's tough. Anyway, we are only two players on the court. Yeah, maybe can help a little bit, but not all the time.
Q. You won the last match last year against Isner. What was the difference between this match and the last one?
MIKHAIL YOUZHNY: Everybody knows he has injury before this tournament, and I think he's not recovered 100 percentage. So that's why sometimes he's moving looks likes not so well. But sometimes he starts moving normal. It was tough moment. But when we play in Montréal, it was another story. He come after final. I think he play final before in Washington, so he was a little bit tired. But it was I feel pretty the same match. It was really close.
Q. Going into a match against him, are you willing to say that he's going to hit many aces and you just have to look for your spots on the return?
MIKHAIL YOUZHNY: Yeah, of course you understand it will be aces. But here main point, if you have some chances, try to take these chance, because it will not be too many chances. But if you can take in main moment like point, it's really important against Isner. And, of course, when you have two, three aces in a row, it could happen.
Q. How important was it to get the break right off the start? He was playing from behind almost from the beginning of the match.
MIKHAIL YOUZHNY: He start bad. It was break, but he miss I think three or four easy balls. So it was, of course, important I won the first set because I have this break. So, but, after it was another story.
Q. When he won the second set, what was your mind frame? At what point did you think you were really going to win the game?
MIKHAIL YOUZHNY: Yeah, I have two break up, 5-2. Look like everybody going to my hands. Some points he play well; some points I have a lot of mistakes, and match changes. So after 5-2, it's starting new match. You can say like this. But I am happy, you know, because after tough situation, when I lose the second set, two break ups, I come back to court and start to play again.
Q. You've now won on center court, Arthur Ashe at the US Open. How much momentum do you think that gives you going to the next round?
MIKHAIL YOUZHNY: I hope a lot. I hope. But we will see next round.
Jużny: W Moskwie tenis to luksus
Michaił Jużny postawił się hiszpańskiej koalicji i w czwartej rundzie ograł Tommy'ego Robredo 7:5, 6:2, 4:6, 6:4. 28-letni Rosjanin rozgrywa najlepsze US Open od 2006 lat, a w ćwierćfinale zmierzy się ze Stanislasem Wawrinką.
Najlepsza szesnastka nowojorskiego wielkiego szlema była zdominowana przez graczy z Półwyspu Iberyjskiego. Do tej fazy imprezy dotarło aż sześciu Hiszpanów.
Taki obrót spraw to żadne zaskoczenie dla Jużnego.
- Hiszpanie mają mnóstwo kortów. Mają mnóstwo miejsc, gdzie mogą dobrze trenować. Moim zdaniem to nie jest droga sprawa trenować tenis w Hiszpanii. W Rosji obecnie jest to zdecydowanie droższe. Nie każdy może sobie pozwolić na treningi w Moskwie - uważa Jużny.
Do ćwierćfinału przebiło się tylko dwóch reprezentantów z Półwyspu Iberyjskiego. Feliciano Lopez i David Ferrer odpadli w bratobójczych pojedynkach odpowiednio z Rafaelem Nadalem i Fernando Verdasco, Alberto Montanes poległ ze Szwedem Robinem Soderlingiem, a Jużny znalazł sposób na Robredo.
Michaił Jużny postawił się hiszpańskiej koalicji i w czwartej rundzie ograł Tommy'ego Robredo 7:5, 6:2, 4:6, 6:4. 28-letni Rosjanin rozgrywa najlepsze US Open od 2006 lat, a w ćwierćfinale zmierzy się ze Stanislasem Wawrinką.
Podrzuciłby kolegom receptę na długowieczność. :D
Misza gra znakomity sezon, to już Jego 2 QF w turnieju wielkoszlemowym w tym roku. Wcześniej był w ćwiartce na Roland Garros.
US Open 2010 - wywiad po zwycięstwie w 4 rundzie
THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.
Q. You've had a little bit of lackluster season, this hard court season. How do you explain your performance here at the US Open?
MIKHAIL YOUZHNY: Actually, I get good result in Paris, Roland Garros, but after I played some tournaments, I lost second round Wimbledon first round Halle. Played Davis Cup in Moscow; I lost the second point. I played just one tournament in Gstaad on clay. I mean, Gstaad, it was more tournament for like preparation before for the hard season. Come to USA and to play two Masters, what I play not so well. I lost second and first round. So now, it's okay. In quarter already, and I hope I improve my game a little bit before next match.
Q. Are you pleased with the way you've played today? I know you like the result, but can you comment on the way you played today?
MIKHAIL YOUZHNY: Yeah. I like result and actually I like how I played today. Of course, I have some mistakes. I was a little bit lucky in fourth set. Maybe not a little bit when I have first net ball and breakpoint; but I have some chances in third set. I think first set was Tommy played better than me, but third set maybe I play better than Tommy. So that's why second set just Tommy make a lot of mistakes. That's it was so easy and so fast.
Q. Quarterfinal, making it to a quarterfinal in a Grand Slam, what does that mean to you?
MIKHAIL YOUZHNY: I think it's first time in the year I have already two quarterfinals in Grand Slams. It's maybe mean I start to play a little bit more consistent, not only really, really good some tournaments and after not so well. I hope.
Q. There were six Spanish guys that made it to the round of 16. As somebody on the tour, any explanation for why one country that's not that huge has so much success?
MIKHAIL YOUZHNY: Yeah, now it's a lot of Spanish guys. They play really, really well. Why? I think we -- actually, they have a lot of courts; they have a lot of good facilities to practice well. I think it's not really expensive to practice in Spain for Spanish people. In Russia now it's much expensive to practice in Moscow. Not everybody can do this one. I think this is my point, and they have actually really good school, I mean, tennis school in Spain. Before they have only good results in clay, but now, my opinion, it's all hard courts going a little bit slower to previous years. That's why they can play also well on hard court.
Q. Is there anything that when you face these guys they have in common, like something you know you're going to get from somebody? I know they're real good on clay, but is there anything they seem to all do well?
MIKHAIL YOUZHNY: No. It's just I tell before maybe they play much better on clay or indoor or hard court, but now I think it's not big different between Nadal and clay court. Of course some different, but not so different like was previous years when indoors courts was faster. And like when they play I think Bruguera, Berasategui it was more different than now. Now Ferrer, he has really good results on hard court. Nadal, Verdasco, Lopez even play better in hard court maybe. Montanes pass three rounds here; Robredo I think almost every round pass three rounds here. So that's why start play really good hard court, as well.
Q. Your opponent this afternoon had a one handed backhand. You might potentially have with Stanislas with a Wawrinka next round, face another one handed backhand. He won twice on clay against you; you've won twice on hard court most recently in Miami, if I'm not mistaken. How would your tactics or your game vary against, you know, Stan if he should make it through compared to Querrey with a two handed backhand? How would your game plan vary?
MIKHAIL YOUZHNY: No, now I doesn't want to think actually about Stan. He still play. And will be not so well if I start to talking about Stan, because he still play. So, but, I don't think now about tactics. Yeah, we play three matches or four matches against Stan, and all matches were different. He have really good backhand, one hand, but now I doesn't want to think about it, I think.
Q. I couldn't hear what you said on court about your victory salute. Do you give it a name? What is it?
MIKHAIL YOUZHNY: What kind of name you are waiting? (Smiling.) Just salute for thanks for crowd, you know. Everybody a lot of guys are kiss their hands and say thanks, put racquet up and say thanks. I do like this one.
Q. Do you practice it?
MIKHAIL YOUZHNY: After I winning matches.
US Open 2010: 2 w karierze wielkoszlemowy półfinał Jużnego.
Poprzednio Misza w tej fazie turnieju WS był także na US Open, 4 lata temu. Wtedy w 1/4 wyeliminował Rafaela Nadala, z którym zagra jutro o finał. Davai! :P
US Open 2010 - wywiad po zwycięstwie w ćwierćfinale
THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.
Q. So you lost the first set, and then you both held serve, 6 All in the second. Can you tell me what happened in that tiebreaker? What did you figure out? How did it help you later in the match?
MIKHAIL YOUZHNY: Yeah, second set was really important, because 2 0, 1 All by sets is big difference. Tiebreaker I think we both play good. Stan is serve well and I also serve well. At 6 4 I have two set points. I think one set point he play well on his serve and I miss backhand I think on 6 5. But after I play really well in my next point, a bit aggressive, and win good point, I think. But, you know, after 1 All in sets it was like another match, and both players can win.
Q. How did you figure out how to beat him? Was there a moment? Was there a moment that occurred that you can point to where you said, I think I know how to take him out?
MIKHAIL YOUZHNY: It was tough condition, and of course you understand you can beat him; you also understand he can beat you, because it's close match. I just try to play every point. I try to don't think about you can do it or that come on or something. Yeah, I miss some looks like easy balls, but it was tough condition. That's why I bring this ball out. So just to try to play every point.
Q. Can you talk about just your overall impression of the match. It was a long, hard battle out there. Momentum was shifting back and forth. It could have gone any which way, and yet you prevailed under very difficult conditions.
MIKHAIL YOUZHNY: Yeah, difficult conditions, but for both. You know, it's not only for me. I think for him, as well, the same. Problem was when it was just windy, it's okay. You already know how it was going. But sometimes it just was faster or slowly or right/left. It could be middle of the point. He just start to, you know really fast wind started, like I lost my game in 2 1 fifth set. So I cannot say do something wrong, but it's like last ball, the last point, the ball almost stopped behind the net. So I just touch, and he's going to really far away out.
Q. After a tough match like that, how do you feel? Does anything hurt or are you okay?
MIKHAIL YOUZHNY: I start to feel tomorrow, I think. (Laughter.) But anyway you have one day off, I think is okay.
Q. What is it like to reach that stage of the tournament?
MIKHAIL YOUZHNY: Yeah, of course. You know, right now I'm happy because I just finished the match and I win this match. So good result, but already you are in semifinal and you still play. Of course you want more. Anyway, I don't think now is good result, so I want more.
Q. You've been on the semifinals stage before here once. It was four years ago.
MIKHAIL YOUZHNY: Yes.
Q. Talk about whether or not you can draw upon that experience to perhaps help you in what's likely to be a very, very difficult match in the next round.
MIKHAIL YOUZHNY: Yeah, but today also was not easy match. Against Isner was also tough match. In Grand Slam, every match it's tough. Of course, against Rafa or Verdasco it's will be tough match, but I hope not only for me to be tough match. I hope for these guys also the tough match. So we will see what happens.
Q. But to have been here on that stage before, yes, it was four years ago, but you have been here before.
MIKHAIL YOUZHNY: Yes, I lost to Roger. It was also close, tough match. I won first set; I easily lost second. It was tiebreak in third set. Nobody know what happens if I won this tiebreak. But, you know, it was four years ago. Now I think it's another time, and I'm like another player. I cannot say I am better player now, but it's another time and other opponent, so everything can happen.
Q. That leads to what I was trying to get at. He had a bandage on his left knee out there, and he had mentioned that he had suffered some trouble in his match against Murray and he didn't know how it would be. When you were out there and it was a tough contest, were you just running as fast as you could and hitting every shot to stay in the match, or were you really trying to attack a part of his game specifically? Is that something you can draw on in your next match?
MIKHAIL YOUZHNY: You know, I thought maybe he has a little bit injury. But, you know, he made a bandage, and after, when he's moving so well, my opinion, no, I didn't I didn't see he start to moving slowly. So that's why I think, yeah, maybe he has a little bit injury. But if he continue to play, if he's still moving, he could win. He can continue to play his best tennis. So I just try to think how I have to play, just to maybe you know, if you start to thinking about get injury, now it's time to win or he give you some present, it's usually you going to lose because you start to waiting. I doesn't want to wait. I try to win every point by myself.
Q. Is there a special reason that you haven't been able to play on a consistent level during your career or during the past years? There are always lots of ups and downs.
MIKHAIL YOUZHNY: Yeah, no, this year I change a little bit my calendar. I just to -- I just try like this one maybe it's helped me, maybe not, but I'm not already like 18, 20 years old. Actually, maybe it's was tough to play consistent maybe because I am going older, and that's why I'm going to play consistent.
Q. You know that most people, most tennis fans, will want to see Federer and Nadal in the final. Are you going to be a bad person and try and ruin that?
MIKHAIL YOUZHNY: Yeah, I'm ready to be bad person. I love to be bad person in this case. (Laughter.)
Q. You can possibly face Nadal. What do you expect of this matchup?
MIKHAIL YOUZHNY: First of all, for me, it's not so really well if I talk to play now against Nadal and he lost today and I will play against Verdasco.
Q. Let's imagine.
MIKHAIL YOUZHNY: He's No. 1; he won two Grand Slams; he play really, really well; it will be very tough for me.
Q. Is it better for you to play him here on a fast surface?
MIKHAIL YOUZHNY: Of course it's better to play here or on clay. (Laughter.)
Q. You struggled on hard courts in a couple events leading up to the US Open, and I'm wondering what is it that you have found coming into this tournament, you know, since the US Open Series events that has propelled you to a semifinal?
MIKHAIL YOUZHNY: I start to play US Open Series only in Toronto. I play only Toronto, Cincinnati; I lost second round Toronto, first round Cincinnati. But there's always time when you just came to USA from Europe. It's tough to start to play really well immediately, so you need time to acclimatization, to you know, I come after clay, so I think for all players you need time to change the surface, change the time. For somebody, just need two, three days; for somebody, a little bit longer. I can't say I play bad in Cincinnati or something, but it was enough to beat Gasquet in first round.
Q. What are your main weapons to win the next matchup? How would you describe yourself as a player for people who really don't know you?
MIKHAIL YOUZHNY: To win next match, actually doesn't like to dream, so just not thinking about right now what I need to. But anyway, I need to play 100% what I can play.
Q. What are your weakness on the court?
MIKHAIL YOUZHNY: What do you mean?
Q. What are your better shots? How would you describe your game?
MIKHAIL YOUZHNY: No easy now say I have to serve like Isner or play forehand like Federer, something. I play like Youzhny. (Laughter.) But, you know, actually I have to be enjoying court, first of all. And after, it will be possible.
US Open 2010 - wywiad po porażce w półfinale
THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.
Q. Rafa said in the interview on court after the match, he said that he thought perhaps you might have demonstrated that you were a bit tired, and maybe it was a result of the difficult match that you had to get to your quarterfinal match. Would you agree?
MIKHAIL YOUZHNY: I cannot say I'm really tired, but, yeah, was not fast enough today. I mean, my decision was not really fast. I mean, I moving well, but my head was one step back of my hand and my legs. So that's why I thinking too long, you know, where I have to play. That's why some mistakes and that's why made the score like this one.
Q. What were the conditions like out there?
MIKHAIL YOUZHNY: Conditions today, it's was okay. Little bit windy, but, you know, after windy it was previous matches, it was okay.
Q. You've played Nadal a few times. Do you think he's playing better than you've ever seen him play?
MIKHAIL YOUZHNY: I feel now he looks like serve better than to play before. But tough to say, because play last time against him I think one and a half year ago, long time ago.
Q. More specifically, how do you think his serve is better? I didn't hear the other thing that you said was better. Can you explain a little bit more, please?
MIKHAIL YOUZHNY: No, my opinion is it's not maybe little faster, but now he serve T wide, the same percentage, I think, and really high percentage first serve.
Q. In terms of defense to offense, is there any better player in tennis than Rafa?
MIKHAIL YOUZHNY: Well, tough to say, no? Now tough to say who is better than Rafa. I mean, he's No. 1 and he play really good tennis.
Q. You've come close twice now to getting to Grand Slam finals. What do you think you need to do different to sort of take that next step?
MIKHAIL YOUZHNY: No, it's two different semifinals. Four years ago it was another story. I playing more from emotions in all matches before. Maybe I have little bit tougher draw in this year. But this year I really glad because I didn't show really my best tennis, my opinion, because I actually serve not so well the whole tournament. But anyway, I was in the semifinal. So this year, I didn't show my really best tennis and I am in the semifinal. This is good. So maybe if I can show my really best tennis in semifinal or Grand Slams, maybe I can do something more. Maybe no? We'll see.
Q. Overall were you pretty happy with the last couple of weeks?
MIKHAIL YOUZHNY: Yeah, but right now, you lose the match you cannot be really happy. But actually it was good tournament for me.
Q. First of all, if you can elaborate on that a bit. I mean, you know, I guess it takes a little time to look back and reflect and say, Hey, I got to the semifinals of a Grand Slam. But is it almost that much more difficult? Because you were playing such good tennis coming in, and, you know, you start to think about maybe I can be a finalist here? Or can you look back and say, This was a great two weeks for me; I've played some great tennis?
MIKHAIL YOUZHNY: No, have to be realistic. Okay, how Rafa play today I don't have lot of chances to beat him, actually. So that's why if thinking like this one, I can start to think about, Oh, I can win Australia; but I pull out third round; I can win Wimbledon, but I lost second round. So anyway I try to be optimistic, and anyway it was a good two weeks for me.
Q. Do you feel in a way today you might have beaten yourself as opposed to Rafa beating you? Is there a bit of that?
MIKHAIL YOUZHNY: I feel I play really good one game at 4 3, first set, like was lot of emotions. But if I can play like this on every game against Rafa, maybe it's not for sure maybe I can get chance to win. But I don't have so much emotion like I have this game, so I can like sometimes wake up for some points or some games, but I cannot be consistent for all match.
Q. I think you said in your last press conference that you're hoping to be the bad guy.
MIKHAIL YOUZHNY: What?
Q. You were hoping to be the bad guy or the bad person. That didn't happen.
MIKHAIL YOUZHNY: Anyway you have to be nice.
Q. Do you think you have to play your absolute best tennis against Rafa? Is he in that kind of form, that that's the only way you can beat him? Generally, not just you.
MIKHAIL YOUZHNY: I think some part of my games has to be best, like I have to -- if I serve like best what I can, maybe I have chances. But, no, now it's tough to say what I have to do. Match is done and I lost this match. Now I can say whatever about how I have to play to beat him or how he has to miss some points. But I doesn't want to dream about this.
Q. What do you think overall are the one or two things that make him so tough, that make him the No. 1 player? What are his greatest strengths?
MIKHAIL YOUZHNY: He's consistent. He play really high level for all year. Not everybody can play like this. Some players play really well maybe three tournaments, and four, five tournaments play not so well. Even top players. But Federer and Nadal I think is more consistent players. His level is a little bit higher than all other players.
Q. So if final against Federer and Nadal, which one you think?
MIKHAIL YOUZHNY: No comment. We will see tomorrow. (Smiling.)
Q. The atmosphere out there was quite electric today. I mean, you know, it's the final weekend of the US Open; it generally is. But particularly when you broke back at 4 4 in the third, you really seemed to be able to pump yourself up, and the crowd was clearly with you at that point.
MIKHAIL YOUZHNY: Yeah.
Q. Did you feel that? Can you talk about your mindset at that particular moment and the atmosphere in general?
MIKHAIL YOUZHNY: No, atmosphere was well today, I mean. And, yeah, in 4 All crowd for Youzhny. I feel this one, but I going slowing down after this game actually. I play good one point, and finally I miss really easy volley and Rafa played good.
Q. Was there a moment when you thought you might be able to turn things around?
MIKHAIL YOUZHNY: No, I didn't try to think about now. I don't know, because it's I just try to continue to play little maybe a little bit more emotions, but it was not easy.
Q. I saw you had a black ribbon on your T shirt today. Was that to mark today's events, or was that the reason?
MIKHAIL YOUZHNY: Of course the reason because everybody remember the 9/11. Today, nine years, so that's why we still remember.
#7) Kuala Lumpur 2010
R32 Bye
R16 Alexandr Dolgopolov (UKR) 6-1, 5-7, 7-5
Q Marcos Baghdatis (CYP) 6-7(5), 7-5, 6-1
S Igor Andreev (RUS) 3-6, 6-0, 6-2
W Andrey Golubev (KAZ) 6-7(7), 6-2, 7-6(3)
MAJOR MIKHAIL
DEUCE
Known for his trademark military salute and fighting spirit, Russian hero Mikhail Youzhny continues to carry on his late father’s legacy with the guidance of his long-time coach.
Mikhail Youzhny strokes the ball smoothly and accurately across the net placing it within easy reach of his longtime coach Boris Sobkin’s forehand. Youzhny, the St. Petersburg Open defending champion, is preparing for his semi-final match. They warm up in silence. After 18 years together, words are not necessary between this player and his coach. Now as they hit, Sobkin is wondering if Youzhny has enough energy left in the tank today to compete with the talented Dmitry Tursunov.
He would soon find out.
Locked at four games all in the first set, Tursunov’s powerful ground strokes have Youzhny on the run. All the racing from side to side has left Youzhny’s leg weary and bone tired, for he has not fully recovered from a viral infection that forced him to pull out of the previous week’s Kremlin Cup in Moscow. Yet, despite it all, Youzhny has just broken Tursunov’s serve to take a 5-4 lead in the first set. Now his body is fast breaking down. Youzhny asks Chair Umpire Carlos Bernardes for a toilet break. Request granted and he quickly rushes to the locker room where he is soon doubled over and puking his guts out.
Back on the court, Youzhny manages to hold serve and take the first set.
Though the crowd is clearly favouring Youzhny, Tursunov is not backing down and after taking the second set, he has now broken Youzhny’s serve in the third. Serving at 4-2, Youzhny put up a defence that would have made Peter the Great proud. It would last for 13 minutes and 50 seconds. And when it was over, Youzhny had broken back and the crowd was shaking their heads in amazement and clapping wildly.
Throughout the match, Youzhny has been working the Tursunov backhand with off-speed slices and heavy spin forehands. Normally Youzhny does not grunt much at all, but when he does it comes from the forehand side and it means he is on the attack. It is not so much a grunt as a command, as if he is ordering the ball on a special mission. The next few games becomes a tug of war between the two men as Youzhny fights off the powerful Tursunov attack while he tries to sink his teeth into the meat of the point. For the man the Russians affectionately call ‘Mischa’, Mikhail Youzhny’s primary weapons are easy to detect: head, heart and legs.
At six feet tall and 160 pounds, Mikhail Youzhny does not tower over his opponents. His clean-cut face is accented by thick dark eyebrows and a hard set jaw. When determined, his features make for an imposing scowl. But when Youzhny is happy, a pair of dimples and a slight gap in the front teeth show a million-dollar smile.Tursunov and Youzhny would continue to battle with each other until the final set tie-break. Immediately, Tursunov surges to a 6-3 lead. With his back pinned to the wall and facing three match points, Mikhail Youzhny is taking a beating like in a Rocky Balboa movie. Boris Sobkin is in the front row of the tribune, head in hands, rocking back and forth in his seat. There is just one problem for Tursunov. This is where Youzhny is most dangerous.
When it is over, and Mikhail Youzhny had somehow found a way to stave off defeat, Boris Sobkin was walking in the corridor with his hands clasped behind his back and shaking his head.
“This match is all you need to know to understand Mischa,” states Sobkin. “How you say? A picture is worth more than a thousand words.”
Ektarina Kempik, a waitress at the Gran Hotel Europa in Saint Petersburg, came to see Mikhail Youzhny play.
“I like him so much,” says Kempik. “I saw him in the restaurant of hotel many times and he is like star in Russia. For me he is what means Russian man: serious, hard worker and big fighter.”
Legendary Russian tennis player, Alex Metreveli, agrees.
“He is really a great fighter,” says Metreveli. “I cannot even remember how many matches he has won in tough situations. Russian people respect Mischa because he is a man who works hard. And his fighting spirit is just incredible. What he did in Paris for Davis Cup is just one of many such examples.”
Metreveli is referring to the 2002 Davis Cup Final in Paris. As typical of the French, it was a gala affair. French President Jacques Chirac was in attendance, and also Russian President Boris Yeltsin. With Grand Slam winners and ATP World Tour stars Marat Safin and Yevgeny Kafelnikov on the team, few if any thought that the young 20-year-old Mikhail Youzhny would see live action. Even Youzhny himself did not believe it.
“Captain says to me on first day that maybe I play final rubber as Kafelnikov was not 100 per cent fit,” recalls Youzhny. “But I did not believe him. How I can play important match with star like Yevgeny on team? And then Sunday morning I see Yevgeny arrive in running shoes and no racquets. Then I understand that I must play for Russia.”
Tatiana Naumko, the longtime coach of Russian tennis star Andrei Chesnokov has known Youzhny since he was eight years old. She was in Paris for that Davis Cup.
“Before match, I spoke to him,” says Naumko. “I say, ‘Mikhail, you must be like robot. Don’t think so much about situation. Just be robot: backhand, forehand, forehand and backhand, crosscourt and down the line. Be robot, Mikhail.’”
Not bad advice from one of Russia’s most successful tennis coaches, but just like a character from a Tolstoy novel, Youzhny was dealing with multiple burdens. Yes, there was the pressure of playing the final and deciding match of a Davis Cup Final. But there was something else; only one month earlier, Mikhail’s father had died unexpectedly.
“Everything that we have is because of our father,” says older brother and former player Andrei Youzhny, who was with the Russian team in Paris. “We are in tennis because of father. We are with Boris (Sobkin) because of father. Papa made so many sacrifices for our tennis. You know, he was Colonel in Soviet Army. And he stops his career to support our tennis each day. And Papa and Mischa are both born on same day, June 25th. Tell me, what is chance of that?”
The stage was set and the Davis Cup trophy would be decided between France’s Paul-Henri Mathieu and Mikhail Youzhny. From the start, Mathieu was the better player, winning the first set and quickly going up a break in the second.“I knew exactly what was problem with Mischa,” claims Andrei. “He had so many emotions inside of him and he could not play. I could see he had the wrong emotions. I knew what I must do.”
Andrei sent a message to the Captain Shamil Tarpischev for Mischa to take toilet break. That would be his opportunity to talk with his younger brother. When Youzhny returned to the court he was given a warning from the chair umpire for receiving coaching. Whatever Andrei said must have been very powerful, because Mikhail Youzhny instantly became a different beast. Youzhny clawed his way back to even the match and then seized the Davis Cup for Russia in the fifth set.
“So many people ask me and Mischa what I said to him,” says Andrei. “We never say. And I will not tell you what I said because it is between family only.”
“It was so tough feeling for me because father had just died,” Youzhny admitted. “On one moment I was very happy. And another I was wanting my father to see me play such an important match for Russia. For him to give us everything so we could play tennis and then not to see me play was really, really tough.”
“It was terrible,” recalls Sobkin. “Happiness, sadness. Happy to win, but sad his father could not see him. So many tears from everybody.”
It was his father, Mikhail Youzhny Sr., who decided that his sons should play tennis. And like many boys, little Mikhail followed in the footsteps of his older brother, Andrei.
“In summer we learn tennis,” says Andrei. “And in winter we learn figure-skating. Then one day when we get a little older, the coach speaks to father if we want to play tennis seriously. If we want to try professional, we must go to Spartak Club. Father said, ‘Yes, why not. Let us try.’”
It would be easier said than done. Every day they would make the long commute to the Spartak Club. It would take them over an hour each way, underground by metro and then two buses. And their mother, an economist, would take on two extra part-time jobs to help pay for it.
“At Spartak Club we have such a good tradition of players,” says Tatiana Naumko, “Little boys many times were standing behind fence watching Andrei (Chesnokov) practice. He was like hero to young boys. And little Mischa was there behind fence watching too.”
“Our parents had to find a way to get us a coach,” says Mikhail Youzhny. “It was not so easy. In the beginning me and Andrei would watch how coaches were working with students. Then we would make our own drills with a bag of old balls that we collected.”“Mischa and Andrei were practising together all the time without coach,” remembers Sobkin. “In the beginning, Mischa is all the time breaking racquets and crying. Not so many coaches want to work with boy with strong character like this. So, they would practise on one court for 15 minutes and then comes a member so they must leave court immediately and move to another court. Ten minutes maybe 20 minutes later comes another member and like this all day. There was something in Mischa’s eyes, a sparkle, maybe, I don’t know. Sometimes the eyes tells more than parents. Of course, I did not see Mischa is Top 10 player then. But I could see he had something special.”
It was in 1995 that Mikhail Youzhny, a 13-year-old ball boy, got his first taste of what being a Russian hero was like. In the deciding match of the Davis Cup tie of Russia versus Germany in Moscow at the Olympic Stadium, Chesnokov saved 10 match points against Michael Stich for a 14-12 victory.
“After the match there were so many people wanting to be near Chesnokov,” remembers Youzhny. “I went to locker room and so many people surround Andrei and he could not see that he forgot his tennis shoes on floor. I was so small that I could see them on the floor, and I took the shoes and put them in our apartment. They are still there today.”
When asked if any other Russian players had an influence on young Mikhail Youzhny, Boris Sobkin replied tongue-in-cheek. “Let us say like this, ‘Fortunately, other Russian players did not disturb him too much.’”
Maybe not other players, but there is no denying the influence of coach Boris Sobkin. It is true that Sobkin did not follow the ranks of the traditional tennis coach. Instead, he worked as a professor of mathematics at a very prestigious Soviet University. Still he was a good enough amateur player to be a sparring partner for Chesnokov.
“He is so smart,” says Andrei Youzhny. “Boris is always studying everything and how to make Mischa better. Even after all these years. Boris is like idol for me.”
“Boris’s mind does not have limit,” says Naumko. “He is constantly learning. And I believe that this is why Mischa is still improving at his age.”
And make no mistake, Mikhail Youzhny is still improving at 28 years old. He matched his best ever showing in a Grand Slam at this year’s US Open where he defeated John Isner, Tommy Robredo and Stanislas Wawrinka en route to the semi-finals, where he lost to eventual champion Rafael Nadal. He followed that performance by winning the Malaysian Open two weeks later for his seventh ATP World Tour title.
When asked about his good form this year, Youzhny was coy.“What means good year?” Youzhny asks furrowing his dark eyebrows. “Sometimes you start the year good, and then you finish bad. Or sometimes opposite. I think better to wait until season is over and then evaluate.”
“Youzhny is extremely solid mentally,” states Peter Lundgren, coach of Stanislas Wawrinka. “He has the ability to adapt to all types of conditions. And he can change the speed and direction of the ball very quickly. But his backhand slice is one of the best in the world. His slice has a lot of variety and he can neutralise an opponent’s offence quickly with it.”
While the slice keeps Youzhny alive, it is the topspin backhand down the line that deals the deathblow. Though his racquet hand is strong and calloused, when he strikes the ball it is as if he is wearing a velvet glove. However, if there is a chink in his armour it is his serve, or the lack of it. Youzhny serves up less aces than a poor luck poker player.
“That is something that must improve,” admits his brother. “I am confident that Boris will find a solution.”
“Actually, we have a lot of things to improve,” states Sobkin. “We are planning now. But, of course, I will not discuss this publicly.”
“Boris sees tennis the way few people do,” says ATP World Tour player and close friend, Sergiy Stakhovsky. “He is extremely intelligent and his practices with Mischa are very unique, a lot of angles. But there is more. You know he and Mischa have very interesting relationship. They both read so much. I mean Mischa is reading so many books all the time. When I first started to be around them, I was surprised at how high level conversation they are having. And Mischa is always joking with Boris, but then Boris is joking back to Mischa but higher level joke. And they keep going and on like this and in the beginning I was like, ‘Wow, what planet is this?’”
Youzhny’s bid for a place in the 2010 Barclays ATP World Tour Finals came to an end when a back injury forced him to retire against Ernest Gulbis at the BNP Paribas Masters. The long year was now over and it was time for Mikhail Youzhny to go home to his wife, Julia, and young son, Maxim.
Outside the Pullman Hotel in Paris it is cold and raining when Sobkin and Youzhny load their tennis bags into the tournament courtesy car for the ride to Charles de Gaulle Airport and flight back to Moscow. These days, Boris walks with a slight stoop in his back and Mikhail takes a little longer to recover after matches than he used to do. But one thing that has not changed after nearly two decades of working together is the sparkle in Youzhny’s eyes and Boris’s steady hand on Mikhail’s shoulder.
The Last Word: ATP No. 10, Mikhail Youzhny
The fiery Youzhny had a career-best season in 2010.
Best of 2010
When Andy Murray went out at the U.S. Open, the experienced Youzhny was there to fill the gap. He reached his first Grand Slam semifinal in four years by beating Murray’s conqueror, Stan Wawrinka, in a memorable five-setter.
Worst of 2010
While Youzhny had more than respectable results at Flushing Meadows and Roland Garros, where he made the quarters, he was a disappointment at Wimbledon, where he lost in the second round to Paul-Henri Mathieu.
Year in Review
You can’t take too much issue with a guy who had the best season of his career, finishing at No. 10, at age 28. Aside from the semis of the Open, he won a title in Munich and reached finals in Dubai and Rotterdam. Do as Youzhny would: Give a hearty Russian salute to a good tour soldier.
See for Yourself
Youzhny fights past Wawrinka to make a Slam semi:
The Last Word
Youzhny should be applauded for playing such consistently good tennis under a very full schedule when he’s on the verge of his 30s. At the same time, his presence in the Top 10 shows how heavily weighted the ranking points are at the very pinnacle.
—Steve Tignor
2010 w liczbach
Ranking: 10
Tytuły: 2 (Monachium, Kuala Lumpur)
Finały: 3 (Rotterdam, Dubaj, Sankt Petersburg)
Mecze: 43-19
Zarobki: $1,900,349
The Last Word: ATP No. 10, Mikhail Youzhny
The fiery Youzhny had a career-best season in 2010.
Best of 2010
When Andy Murray went out at the U.S. Open, the experienced Youzhny was there to fill the gap. He reached his first Grand Slam semifinal in four years by beating Murray’s conqueror, Stan Wawrinka, in a memorable five-setter.
Worst of 2010
While Youzhny had more than respectable results at Flushing Meadows and Roland Garros, where he made the quarters, he was a disappointment at Wimbledon, where he lost in the second round to Paul-Henri Mathieu.
Year in Review
You can’t take too much issue with a guy who had the best season of his career, finishing at No. 10, at age 28. Aside from the semis of the Open, he won a title in Munich and reached finals in Dubai and Rotterdam. Do as Youzhny would: Give a hearty Russian salute to a good tour soldier.
See for Yourself
Youzhny fights past Wawrinka to make a Slam semi:
The Last Word
Youzhny should be applauded for playing such consistently good tennis under a very full schedule when he’s on the verge of his 30s. At the same time, his presence in the Top 10 shows how heavily weighted the ranking points are at the very pinnacle.
—Steve Tignor
Jużny żegna się z Pucharem Davisa.
2-krotny zdobywa tego trofeum (2002, 2006) zapowiedział, że nie zagra już w reprezentacji swojego kraju w PD. Jako powody swojej decyzji Misza podał chęć koncentracji na rozgrywkach ATP Tour i spędzania większej ilości czasu z rodziną.
Mikhail Youzhny retires from Davis Cup tennis
MOSCOW (AP)—Russian tennis player Mikhail Youzhny says he is quitting Davis Cup tennis because he prefers to spend time between tournaments recovering and relaxing with his family.
The 11th-ranked Youzhny also tells Sport-Express that he has stepped down to make way for younger players.
Youzhny, who is 28, is Russia’s top-ranked player. Possibly his greatest Davis Cup moment came when he rallied from 2-0 down in the decisive fifth match against Paul-Henri Mathieu in the 2002 final against France to secure Russia its first title.
He also was on the team that won the title against Argentina in 2006.
Russia plays Sweden in the first round of the Davis Cup on March 4-6.
Odświeżam temat. Misza obchodzi dzisiaj swoje 29 urodziny, wypada życzyć wszystkiego najlepszego i dużo zdrówka ;)
Wspaniały prezent urodzinowy zgotował sobie sam, awansując dzisiejszego dnia do 4 rundy Wimbledonu po raz 6 w karierze. Brawo!