| Nikolay Davydenko |
Birthdate: 6/2/81
Birthplace: Severodonezk, Ukraine
Residence: Salmtal, Germany
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Height: 5' 10"
Weight: 145
Plays: Right-handed
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 | | | Davydenko in action against Patrick Rafter at the 2001 Australian Open.(Allsport) | |
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Highlights:
2001
- Reached the second round of the Australian Open, losing to Patrick Rafter 4-6 6-2 3-6 6-7(4)
- Played in main draws at Chennai, Bogota, Estoril, Barcelona and Munich
- Reached the semifinals of the Heilbronn Challenger (lost to Goran Ivanisevic)
2000
- Reached the semifinals in Amsterdam, his first ATP event
- Won the Monchengladbach Challenger
- Reached the semifinals of the Wrexham and Togliatti Challengers
- Reached the quarterfinals of the Aschaffenburg Challenger
Interesting Facts: Nikolay never competed on the junior circuit. He left his native Russia to train in Germany at age 15.
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SportsLine.com recently spoke with Nikolay. Here is what he had to say:
SportsLine: When did you first begin to feel like you had a shot at a pro career?
Nikolay Davydenko: Last year I began to win some Futures and won a Challenger and I felt good about my game. I never played juniors, only German prize-money tournaments.
SportsLine: What do you think you need to do to take your game to the next level?
Nikolay Davydenko: I need to get healthy (back problems) and continue to practice. If I feel good, I can beat everybody. If I don't feel good, I have no chance.
SportsLine: Why do you think there are so many young Russian players succeeding right now?
Nikolay Davydenko: Everybody from Russia lives somewhere else. It's difficult in Russia because you need to pay for courts and coaches, etc. If you live in other countries you can play a lot better.
SportsLine: What are your goals for 2001?
Nikolay Davydenko: I feel OK now, but I have lowered my goal to making the top 100. Before Australia it was top 50.
SportsLine: What types of adjustments have you needed to make as your competition has gotten tougher?
Nikolay Davydenko: In Futures the players are not so good, but in Challengers and in ATP events everybody is so hungry. You have to practice all the time.
SportsLine: What is the strongest part of your game?
Nikolay Davydenko: I am winning a lot on my power, so I need to work on my serve-and-volley game.
SportsLine: What do you enjoy most about being a tennis player?
Nikolay Davydenko: You get to stay in hotels for free and get free food.
SportsLine: Is there anyone you most look forward to playing?
Nikolay Davydenko: Everybody plays great. I would like to play against Agassi and Sampras.
SportsLine: At this stage, do you still find yourself getting discouraged with your game?
Nikolay Davydenko: If I play bad I play bad. My coach will say "Now you practice for five hours today!"
SportsLine: What are your career goals?
Nikolay Davydenko: A lot of people say they want to win the French Open or Wimbledon. I play every tournament and we'll see what happens. If I say I'll win this or that, I'll for sure lose. I want to win, but I cannot say so.
SportsLine: What do you think it takes to win consistently?
Nikolay Davydenko: All top 200 players are great, but the top players have very good heads. You think about every point and you have great control in your head.
SportsLine: Are you ever intimidated by an opponent?
Nikolay Davydenko: I played Rafter on Laver Court in front of 10,000 people. You just play how you can play and do it. For me it's no problem who I play.
SportsLine: Talk about some of the sacrifices you have had to make because of the demands of playing tennis.
Nikolay Davydenko: I see my parents only once a year because I play every week. I see them for two weeks in December. For me it's no problem though. All my friends are in the tournaments and I call my parents every week.
SportsLine: What would you like to pursue after you retire?
Nikolay Davydenko: It's difficult to say. If I make money, I do nothing. But, if I play not so good, maybe I'll coach other players.
Also, I like driving cars, because in Germany you can speed if you want. I have a BMW, so I can go 200 km (about 125 mph). Maybe 300 km (about 185 mph) if I get a Ferrari.
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