Andrey Alexandrovich Kuznetsov (Russian: Андре́й Алекса́ндрович Кузнецо́в, born 22 February 1991) is a Russian coach and a former professional tennis player. On 25 April 2016, he achieved his singles career-high of world No. 39.
Andrey Kuznestov started playing tennis at age six, coached by his father Alexander. In 2001, his family moved to Balashikha, attending the sports club there. His father resumed coaching Andrey and his elder brother Alexey.[2]
According to some mass media reports, Andrey allegedly had problems with his back since his childhood, so he attended manual therapies. But Andrey's coach and father declined it, stating he had problems with his hip and the therapy could be described as tough fitness.[3][4]
2006–09: Grand Slam Junior title
Kuznetsov played his first ITF junior tournament at the 2006 Black Gold of Udmurtia, but received a walkover in the qualifying round. His first notable achievement was at the Governor Cup in St. Petersburg, reaching the semi-finals there. He reached his first final at the NBU Cup in Uzbekistan. Most of the tournaments were on a clay court, but in 2007 he played on carpet and hard. In this season he reached three finals in singles, winning once, and three doubles finals in doubles, winning twice. His best season was in 2008, when he won three singles titles and played well in doubles. Andrey's last junior tournament became the 2009 Wimbledon, winning his first Grand Slam title. For the first time in 43 years a Russian won the Wimbledon since Soviet Vladimir Korotkov achieved that feat in 1965 and 1966.[5]
As a junior Kuznetsov posted an 80–24 win–loss record in singles, reaching a combined ranking of No. 3 in the world in July 2009.[6]
2010–15: Grand Slam debut, Top 100, first Grand Slam and first top-10 win
He defeated the 11th seed of the 2013 Australian Open, Juan Mónaco in straight sets in the first round to reach the second round of a Grand Slam for the first time.[7][8]
At Wimbledon in 2014, Kuznetsov recorded his first win over a player ranked inside the world's top-10 by defeating seventh seed David Ferrer in five sets. The win also took Kuznetsov to the third round of a Grand Slam for the first time.[9]
Andrey debuted in 2016 at the Qatar Open, losing in the quarterfinals to Rafael Nadal in three tight sets. At the 2016 Australian Open, he got his best ever result in a grand slam, beating Dudi Sela to make it to the fourth round. In the following tournaments he got beyond the first rounds. Reaching the second round of the Miami Open, Kuznetsov became Russia's new number one male tennis player, replacing Teymuraz Gabashvili, who lost in Miami in the first round.[12] Kuznetsov in the second round defeated 4th-seeded Stan Wawrinka, the second time he won against a top-10 player.[13] He then beat Adrian Mannarino in the third round 2–6, 7–5, 6–0. In the fourth round he lost to Nick Kyrgios 6–7, 3–6.[14]
Kuznetsov began his clay season in Monte Carlo where he qualified for the main draw following wins over established players Julien Benneteau and Mikhail Youzhny. He then lost to the ninth seed Tomas Berdych after taking the first set.[22] He reached his second quarterfinal of the year at the inaugural Hungarian Open[23] where he upset the third seed Fabio Fognini en route.[24] After a three set first round loss to Tsonga at the Mutua Madrid Open, Kuznetsov advanced to his second ATP semifinal in singles at the Geneva Open where he fell to world No. 3 and defending champion Stan Wawrinka in straight sets. At the French Open, he took a set off world No. 1Andy Murray in the first round. In the SkiStar Swedish Open he made it to his third career semifinal, also his third semifinal this year. He first beat German tennis player Jan-Lennard Struff in only 2 sets. He then defeated no.1 seed, Pablo Carreño Busta, after Carreño Busta retired in the third set. He then beat 7th seed Diego Schwartzman in the quarterfinals in straight sets to eventually lose to Alexandr Dolgopolov in the semifinals.[25]
2018–2019: Hiatus and coaching career
Kuznetsov's only tournament of 2018 was when he participated in the Koblenz Challenger, taking place in January and lost his first round match against alternate player Ilya Ivashka.
In 2019, he was announced as the coach of Russian tennis player Evgeny Donskoy.[26]
2020: Comeback, Challenger title and French Open qualification
Kuznetsov returned on court at the 2020 US Open after nearly three years absence.[27] He received a protected ranking and won his first round match against Sam Querrey in straight sets but lost in the next round to 11th seed Karen Khachanov in straight sets.[28]
He qualified for the 2022 French Open for his Grand Slam main draw participation in two years and in five years at this Major.[31]
2023-2024: Back to coaching
At the 2023 Winston-Salem Open he entered the singles main draw as a lucky loser directly into the second round after the withdrawal of 16th Emil Ruusuvuori.
Kuznetsov is an aggressive baseliner.[32][33] He likes to hit it very hard and especially cross-court.[34] While his forehand used to be somewhat of a weakness, it has now developed into a competent shot which he can use as a weapon. On the other hand, his main weakness is his second serve.[35]
Patrick Mouratoglou in 2011 noted his flat shots, nice serve and volley play and a great forehand, but also felt his shot placement and movement should be improved.[36]
Personal life
On 30 June 2018, Kuznetsov married Darya Levchenko, a TV show presenter on Match TV.[37]
(W) winner; (F) finalist; (SF) semifinalist; (QF) quarterfinalist; (#R) rounds 4, 3, 2, 1; (RR) round-robin stage; (Q#) qualification round; (P#) preliminary round; (DNQ) did not qualify; (A) absent; (Z#) Davis/Fed Cup Zonal Group (with number indication) or (PO) play-off; (G) gold, (S) silver or (B) bronze Olympic/Paralympic medal; (NMS) not a Masters tournament; (NTI) not a Tier I tournament; (P) postponed; (NH) not held; (SR) strike rate (events won / competed); (W–L) win–loss record.
To avoid confusion and double counting, these charts are updated at the conclusion of a tournament or when the player's participation has ended.