Born and trained in Sochi, Russia, YEVGENY KAFELNIKOV turned pro just as The Soviet Union crumbled. And in 1996, at 22 years old and armed with a murderous double-fisted backhand, he won both the French Open singles and doubles titles. Which made him the last man to ever do so.

In 1999 he had his best year on tour, winning the Australian Open and reaching #1 in the world.

He’s posted wins over Edberg, Becker, Agassi, Sampras, Kuerten and Safin and took home a Gold Medal from the 2000 Olympics. And with Li Na and Mary Pierce, Yevgeny is part of the newest class of inductees at The International Tennis Hall of Fame.

Yevgeny Kafelnikov tells the story of how a poor kid from the Soviet Union became one of the biggest earners in the history of tennis. He explains why he thinks the satellite tour is the best way to hone one’s craft. And he tells us why he thinks NONE of the promising new men on the tour are having any luck getting past the big 3.

(Recorded July 21, 2019. Released for Patreon Patrons July 26, 2019. Released to Public August 20, 2019).

UNDER REVIEW is a podcast in which tennis insiders share unique stories and insightful perspective. For more information, please contact info@underreviewtennis.com

SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIALS:

For more UNDER REVIEW episodes featuring Tennis Hall of Famers, check out:

• JIM COURIER {Ep23]
• GIGI FERNANDEZ [Ep27]
• NICK BOLLETTEIRI [Ep28]
• MARK WOODFORDE [Ep29]
• MATS WILANDER [Ep38]
• STEVE FLINK [Ep37]

KEYWORDS:

Andriy Medvedev – Alexander Bublik – Daniil Medvedev – double handed backhand – Golf – IMG – Katsukina – Karen Khachanov – Moscow – Satellite Tour – Skolkovo Golf Club – Soviet Union – T2000 – Tennis Hall of Fame – USSR

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 23:43 — 21.7MB) | Embed