Two-time Grand Slam champion and first Russian man to win a Grand Slam title.
Yevgeny Kafelnikov was born on 18 February 1974 in Sochi, Russia. He turned professional in 1992 and made history by becoming the first Russian man to win a Grand Slam, taking the 1996 Roland Garros title. He followed that with the 1999 Australian Open and won an Olympic gold medal at the Sydney 2000 Games. Kafelnikov was a complete, intelligent clay-court player who also excelled on other surfaces. He reached a career-high ranking of No. 1 in 1999 and won 26 ATP titles before retiring in 2003.
Best Known For
Roland Garros 1996
He was the first Russian man ever to win a Grand Slam title, paving the way for Safin, Federer-beaters, and a generation of Russian tennis stars.
Did You Know?Honours & Achievements
Career Honours
- Roland Garros 1996
- Australian Open 1999
- Olympic Gold Sydney 2000
Career Journey
Timeline
1974
👶 Born in Sochi, Russia
🏆 Roland Garros 1996
🏆 Australian Open 1999
🏆 Olympic Gold Sydney 2000