Greg Rusedski Explained

Greg Rusedski
Country:
Canada (1991–1995)[1]
Residence:London, England, UK
Birth Date:1973 9, df=y
Birth Place:Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Height:6feet
Turnedpro:1991
Retired:7 April 2007
Plays:Left-handed (one-handed backhand)
Careerprizemoney:$8,944,841
Singlestitles:15
Highestsinglesranking:No. 4 (6 October 1997)
Australianopenresult:4R (2001)
Frenchopenresult:4R (1999)
Wimbledonresult:QF (1997)
Usopenresult:F (1997)
Othertournaments:yes
Masterscupresult:RR (1997, 1998)
Grandslamcupresult:W (1999)
Olympicsresult:3R (1996)
Doublesrecord:62–53
Doublestitles:3
Highestdoublesranking:No. 63 (19 June 1995)
Australianopendoublesresult:2R (1995)
Frenchopendoublesresult:1R (2006)
Wimbledondoublesresult:2R (1994)
Usopendoublesresult:2R (1994)
Team:yes
Daviscupresult:World Group 1R (1999, 2002)

Gregory Rusedski (born 6 September 1973) is a British-Canadian former professional tennis player. He was the British No. 1 in 1997, 1999 and 2006, and reached the ATP ranking of world No. 4 for periods from 6 October 1997 to 12 October 1997 and from 25 May 1998 to 21 June 1998.[2]

In 1997, he was the US Open finalist, which led to him receiving the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award and the ITV Sports Champion of the Year Award. Also, he scored 30 wins and 13 losses with the Great Britain Davis Cup team.

Personal life

Rusedski was born in Montreal, Quebec, to a British mother and a father of Polish and Ukrainian descent.[3] He was a very promising junior player in Canada in the 1980s, and subsequently caused some anger in Canada when he decided to adopt British citizenship and play for Great Britain in 1995.[4] Rusedski made the decision for "lifestyle reasons", noting that his girlfriend — who later became his wife — lived in Britain.[5]

Rusedski has been with his wife Lucy Connor since 1991, they met while he was competing in a junior tournament where she was a ball girl.[6] They married in a Catholic ceremony at Douai Abbey in West Berkshire in December 1999.[7] They have two children: a daughter born in 2006,[8] and a son born in 2009.[9]

Career

Rusedski's first career singles tournament title was at the Hall of Fame Championship in Newport, Rhode Island in 1993. He opted to compete for the United Kingdom rather than Canada from 22 May 1995 onwards, a decision which was received poorly by Canadian fans; it was reported that he was given a "traitor's reception" by the crowd when he competed in his first Canadian Open after the switch.[10]

Rusedski reached the singles final of the US Open in 1997, where he lost to Pat Rafter in four sets (shortly thereafter reaching his career high rank of world No. 4). He also won the BBC Sports Personality of the Year Award and the ITV Sports Champion of the Year Award. In 1998, Tim Henman eclipsed Rusedski as the UK number one tennis player. Rusedski, however, won the Grand Slam Cup in 1999.

In the 1999 US Open, Rusedski reached the fourth round where he was eliminated 5–7, 0–6, 7–6 (7–3), 6–4, 6–4, by Todd Martin; Rusedski had a two-sets-to-none advantage and was serving for the match in the third set, then in the fifth set he was up 4–1, but lost 20 of the final 21 points including a stretch of 18 consecutive points.[11]

In the 2002 US Open, after losing to Pete Sampras in the third round in a grueling five-set match, Rusedski described Sampras as "a half-step slow" and predicted that Sampras would lose his fourth-round match to young German star Tommy Haas.[12] Sampras, however, went on to win the tournament.

At Wimbledon in 2003, Rusedski was playing in a second-round match against Andy Roddick. Roddick had won the first two sets, but Rusedski was 5–2 up in the third set. During a point on Roddick's service game, a member of the crowd loudly called one of Roddick's shots long, causing Rusedski to stop playing the point as he believed it was a line judge. The umpire ruled that the ball was good and that, as Roddick's next shot landed in court, Roddick was awarded the point. Rusedski, believing the point should have been replayed, launched into a long and expletive-riddled tirade at the umpire and, never regaining his composure, went on to lose the next five games without reply to concede the match. Rusedski apologized after the match, and Roddick reached the semifinals.[13] [14]

Rusedski tested positive for nandrolone in January 2004, but he was cleared of the charges in a hearing on 10 March 2004.[15] [16]

Rusedski was defeated in the second round of Wimbledon in 2005 by Joachim Johansson of Sweden. Later that year, he defended his title at the Hall of Fame Championship, defeating Vince Spadea in the final. This was the first time he had successfully defended a title and the third time he had won the championship. He then reached the semifinals at both the RCA Championships in Indianapolis, losing to Taylor Dent, and the Canada Masters tournament in Montreal, losing to Andre Agassi.

Towards the end of 2005, Rusedski's ranking had risen to the high 30s. A defeat for Rusedski in the first round of the Challenger event in Dnipropetrovsk, Ukraine, left him ranked 38th, just one place short of regaining the UK top spot. Rusedski reclaimed the UK number-one spot on 15 May 2006, overtaking Andy Murray by getting to the third round of the Rome Masters. He lost the top UK ranking again after a first-round exit at Wimbledon.

On 7 April 2007, Rusedski officially retired from tennis after partnering with Jamie Murray to a doubles victory over the Netherlands in a Davis Cup match, a result which gave Great Britain a winning 3–0 lead in the tie. He announced his retirement immediately after the win during a live interview with Sue Barker on BBC Television.[17] Rusedski has stayed involved with professional tennis in his retirement, and currently works for the Lawn Tennis Association as a talent and performance ambassador.[18] Rusedski held the record for fastest serve at 149 miles per hour until Andy Roddick broke it.[19] [20]

On 24 January 2009, Rusedski confirmed he had been seeking a return to professional tennis. However, Davis Cup captain John Lloyd turned down his offer to compete in the Davis Cup, and Rusedski was unable to obtain any wild-card tournament entries.[21] [22] [23] [24] Because of this, Rusedski quickly retracted his announcement and is still retired.

Rusedski vs. Henman

Rusedski was often overshadowed in the British press by Henman, especially at Wimbledon.[25] They were generally closely matched over their careers; both reached a highest world ranking of 4. Rusedski won 15 singles titles compared to Henman's eleven, and also reached the final of the US Open in 1997, whereas Henman never made it past the semifinals of a Grand Slam tournament. However, Henman reached six Grand Slam semifinals and an additional four quarterfinals, whereas Rusedski reached two Grand Slam quarterfinals in total: at the US Open where he reached the final, and at Wimbledon the same year. Neither Rusedski nor Henman ever reached the quarterfinals of the Australian Open. Henman reached the semifinals of the French Open, while Rusedski never made it past the fourth round at that tournament.

His Davis Cup singles record was considerably poorer than Henman's. In Great Britain's two key Davis Cup ties in the World Group knockout stage, Rusedski lost all four singles rubbers, despite home advantage (against the US in 1999 and Sweden in 2002). However, as a doubles partnership, Rusedski and Henman won several Davis Cup matches, as well as other tournaments.

Rusedski's final match at a Grand Slam was against Henman, at the 2006 US Open. Henman won 7–6, 6–2, 6–3. Over their careers, in head-to-head encounters, Henman won 8–2.

Media career

Rusedski has an active media career, having written columns for The Sun, The Daily Mirror[26] [27] and The Daily Telegraph.[28] He also works for the television channel British Eurosport providing analysis during the stations' coverage of the Australian Open. He provided commentary and analysis for Sky Sports for their coverage of the US Open and ATP World Tour Events, and for the BBC's coverage of Wimbledon. He has done some acting, appearing in an episode of Agatha Christie's Marple as a tennis player.[29] In 2008, he appeared as a contestant on the reality TV shows Dancing on Ice and Beat the Star. He has appeared in "Dictionary Corner" on the Channel 4 game show Countdown.

Grand Slam tournament finals

Singles: 1 (0–1)

Other significant finals

Grand Slam Cup

Singles: 1 (1–0)

Masters Series

Singles: 2 (1–1)

ResultYearTournamentSurfaceOpponentScore
Loss 1998 Hard 3–6, 7–6(17–15), 6–7(4–7), 4–6
Win 1998 Carpet (i) 6–4, 7–6(7–4), 6–3

Career finals

Singles: 27 (15 titles, 12 runners-up)

Legend
Grand Slam tournaments (0–1)
Grand Slam Cup (1–0)
ATP Super 9 /
ATP Masters Series (1–1)
ATP Championship Series /
ATP International Series Gold (3–2)
ATP World Series /
ATP International Series (10–8)
Finals by surface
Hard (5–5)
Clay (0–1)
Grass (5–0)
Carpet (5–6)
Finals by setting
Outdoor (8–6)
Indoor (7–6)
ResultW–LDateTournamentTierSurfaceOpponentScore
Win1–0Hall of Fame Open, USAWorld SeriesGrass Javier Frana7–5, 6–7(7–9), 7–6(7–5)
Loss1–1Salem Open, ChinaWorld SeriesCarpet (i) Michael Chang6–7(5–7), 7–6(8–6), 4–6
Win2–1Seoul Open, South KoreaWorld SeriesHard Lars Rehmann6–4, 3–1 ret.
Loss2–2Delray Beach Open, USAWorld SeriesClay Todd Woodbridge4–6, 2–6
Win3–2Salem Open, ChinaWorld SeriesCarpet (i) Martin Damm7–6(7–5), 6–4
Loss3–3Zagreb Indoors, CroatiaWorld SeriesCarpet (i) Goran Ivanišević6–7(4–7), 6–4, 6–7(6–8)
Loss3–4Pacific Coast Championships, USAWorld SeriesHard (i) Pete Sampras6–3, 0–5 ret.
Win4–4Nottingham Open, UKWorld SeriesGrass Karol Kučera6–4, 7–5
Loss4–5US Open, USAGrand SlamHard Patrick Rafter3–6, 2–6, 6–4, 5–7
Win5–5Swiss Indoors, SwitzerlandWorld SeriesCarpet (i) Mark Philippoussis6–3, 7–6(8–6), 7–6(7–3)
Loss5–6Vienna Open, AustriaChamp. SeriesCarpet (i) Goran Ivanišević6–4, 7–6(7–4), 6–7(4–7), 2–6, 3–6
Loss5–7Zagreb Indoors, CroatiaWorld SeriesCarpet (i) Goran Ivanišević6–7(3–7), 6–7(5–7)
Win6–7ECC Antwerp, BelgiumChamp. SeriesHard (i) Marc Rosset7–6(7–3), 3–6, 6–1, 6–4
Loss6–8Indian Wells Masters, USASuper 9Hard Marcelo Ríos3–6, 7–6(17–15), 6–7(4–7), 4–6
Loss6–9Grand Prix de Toulouse, FranceWorld SeriesHard (i) Jan Siemerink4–6, 4–6
Win7–9Paris Masters, FranceSuper 9Carpet (i) Pete Sampras6–4, 7–6(7–4), 6–3
Loss7–10London Indoor, UKChamp. SeriesCarpet (i) Richard Krajicek6–7(6–8), 7–6(7–5), 5–7
Loss7–11U.S. Pro Tennis Championships, USAWorld SeriesHard Marat Safin4–6, 6–7(11–13)
Win8–11Grand Slam Cup, GermanyGrand Slam CupHard (i) Tommy Haas6–3, 6–4, 6–7(5–7), 7–6(7–5)
Win9–11Vienna Open, AustriaChamp. SeriesCarpet (i) Nicolas Kiefer6–7(5–7), 2–6, 6–3, 7–5, 6–4
Win10–11Pacific Coast Championships, USAInternationalHard (i) Andre Agassi6–3, 6–4
Win11–11Auckland Open, New ZealandInternationalHard Jérôme Golmard6–7(0–7), 6–4, 7–5
Win12–11Indianapolis Tennis Championships, USAIntl. GoldHard Félix Mantilla6–7(6–8), 6–4, 6–4
Win13–11Nottingham Open, UK (2)InternationalGrass Mardy Fish6–3, 6–2
Win14–11Hall of Fame Open, USA (2)InternationalGrass Alexander Popp7–6(7–5), 7–6(7–2)
Loss14–12Kremlin Cup, RussiaInternationalCarpet (i) Nikolay Davydenko6–3, 3–6, 5–7
Win15–12Hall of Fame Open, USA (3)InternationalGrass Vince Spadea7–6(7–3), 2–6, 6–4

Doubles: 5 (3 titles, 2 runner-ups)

Legend
Grand Slam tournaments (0–0)
ATP Super 9 /
ATP Masters Series (0–0)
ATP Championship Series /
ATP International Series Gold (1–0)
ATP World Series /
ATP International Series (2–2)
Finals by surface
Hard (0–0)
Clay (1–0)
Grass (1–0)
Carpet (1–2)
Finals by setting
Outdoor (2–0)
Indoor (1–2)
ResultW–LDateTournamentTierSurfacePartnerOpponentsScore
Win1–0Hall of Fame Open, USAWorld SeriesGrass Alex Antonitsch Kent Kinnear
David Wheaton		6–4, 3–6, 6–4
Loss1–1Vienna Open, AustriaWorld SeriesCarpet (i) Alex Antonitsch Mike Bauer
David Rikl		6–7, 4–6
Loss1–2Copenhagen Open, DenmarkWorld SeriesCarpet (i) Guillaume Raoux Mark Keil
Peter Nyborg		7–6, 4–6, 6–7
Win2–2Bournemouth International, UKWorld SeriesClay Marc-Kevin Goellner Rodolphe Gilbert
Nuno Marques		6–3, 7–6
Win3–2London Indoor, UKChamp. SeriesCarpet (i) Tim Henman Byron Black
Wayne Ferreira		6–3, 7–6(8–6)

Singles performance timeline

CanadaTotal
width=351992!width=351993!width=351994!width=3519952!width=351996!width=351997!width=351998!width=351999!width=352000!width=352001!width=352002!width=352003!width=352004!width=352005!width=352006!width=45SR!width=45W–L!width=45Win %
Grand Slam tournaments
Australian OpenAA1R3R1R1R3R2RA4R3RA1R2RA0 / 1011–1047.62
French OpenAA3RA2R1R1R4R1R2RA1R1R1R1R0 / 117–1138.89
WimbledonQ31R2R4R2RQF1R4R1R4R4R2R2R2R1R0 / 1421–1460.00
US OpenQ1A1R1R1RF3R4R2R3R3R1R1R1R1R0 / 1316–1355.17
style=text-align:leftWin–loss0–00–13–45–32–410–44–410–41–39–47–31–31–42–40–30 / 4855–4854.37
Year-end championships
Tennis Masters CupDid not qualifyRRRRDid not qualify0 / 22–250.00
Grand Slam CupDid not qualifybgcolor=yellowSFDNQbgcolor=limeWNot Held1 / 26–185.71
ATP Masters Series
Indian Wells MastersA1R1RA1RAF3R2R1R2RAA2R1R0 / 109–1047.37
Miami MastersAA1RA2RA4R4R4R2R2RAA2R2R0 / 911–955.00
Monte Carlo MastersAAAAAA2R2R1R1RAAA1R1R0 / 60–60.00
Hamburg MastersAA1RAAA3R1RA1RAAA2R1R0 / 62–625.00
Rome MastersAA1RA1R1R1R2R1R2R1RAA1R3R0 / 104–1028.57
Canada Masters3R2R1R1RAAAAA1R1R2RASF1R0 / 98–947.06
Cincinnati MastersAA2R2R2R1RAAAQF2R2R3R2R1R0 / 1011–1052.38
Madrid Masters1AAA2R2R2RQFSFQF1RAAA1RA0 / 89–852.94
Paris MastersAAAAAQFbgcolor=limeW2R1R1RAAA2RA1 / 68–561.54
style=text-align:leftWin–loss2–11–21–62–33–52–414–67–76–65–93–52–22–19–93–71 / 7462–7345.93
Career statistics
style=text-align:leftTitles–Finals0–01–20–01–21–12–62–52–40–01–12–21–11–21–10–015 / 2715–1255.56
Year-end ranking16150114374869136931311194637191

1 This event was held in Stockholm through 1994, Essen in 1995, and Stuttgart from 1996 through 2001.

2 Rusedski was granted British citizenship in May 1995, and competed for Great Britain from 22 May 1995 onwards.

Top 10 wins

Season199219931994199519961997199819992000200120022003200420052006Total
Wins02001363255010129
No.width=200PlayerRankwidth=250EventSurfaceRd.width=200Score
1993
1. Richard Krajicek10Tokyo Indoor, Japanbgcolor=thistleCarpet (i)3R6–4, 6–7(4–7), 7–6(7–2)130
2. Michael Chang7Tokyo Indoor, Japanbgcolor=thistleCarpet (i)QF4–6, 6–3, 7–6(8–6)130
1996
3. Wayne Ferreira10Stockholm Open, SwedenHard (i)1R6–3, 3–6, 6–353
1997
4. Thomas Enqvist10Zagreb Indoors, Croatiabgcolor=thistleCarpet (i)bgcolor=yellowSF6–4, 6–456
5. Michael Chang4San Jose, United StatesHard (i)QF7–6(7–4), 6–439
6. Yevgeny Kafelnikov4bgcolor=moccasinGrand Slam Cup, Munichbgcolor=thistleCarpet (i)QF6–7(5–7), 6–3, 6–110
1998
7. Yevgeny Kafelnikov9Vienna Open, Austriabgcolor=thistleCarpet (i)1R6–3, 3–6, 7–6(7–3)17
8. Pat Rafterbgcolor=thistle2Vienna Open, Austriabgcolor=thistleCarpet (i)QF6–3, 7–6(7–3)17
9. Pat Rafter3Stuttgart Indoor, GermanyHard (i)3R7–6(7–4), 6–7(5–7), 6–413
10. Yevgeny Kafelnikov8Paris Masters, Francebgcolor=thistleCarpet (i)bgcolor=yellowSF6–3, 4–6, 6–413
11. Pete Samprasbgcolor=lime1Paris Masters, Francebgcolor=thistleCarpet (i)bgcolor=limeF6–4, 7–6(7–4), 6–313
12. Tim Henman9ATP Tour Championships, HanoverHard (i)RR6–2, 6–411
1999
13. Gustavo Kuerten5bgcolor=moccasinGrand Slam Cup, MunichHard (i)1R6–3, 3–6, 6–36
14. Yevgeny Kafelnikovbgcolor=thistle2bgcolor=moccasinGrand Slam Cup, MunichHard (i)QF7–5, 7–6(8–6)6
15. Todd Martin4Stuttgart Indoor, GermanyHard (i)QF4–6, 7–6(12–10), 6–46
2000
16. Yevgeny Kafelnikov7Vienna Open, AustriaHard (i)1R6–4, 6–7(3–7), 6–344
17. Marat Safinbgcolor=thistle2Stuttgart Indoor, GermanyHard (i)3R7–6(7–2), 6–489
2001
18. Gustavo Kuertenbgcolor=lime1Australian Open, MelbourneHard2R4–6, 6–4, 6–3, 2–6, 9–765
19. Marat Safinbgcolor=lime1Milan Indoor, Italybgcolor=thistleCarpet (i)QF6–0, 7–6(7–5)52
20. Lleyton Hewitt6San Jose, United StatesHard (i)QF5–7, 6–1, 6–458
21. Andre Agassi4San Jose, United StatesHard (i)bgcolor=limeF6–3, 6–458
22. Juan Carlos Ferrero4Wimbledon, Londonbgcolor=#cfcGrass3R6–1, 6–4, 6–440
2002
23. Thomas Johansson10Marseille, FranceHard (i)1R6–4, 3–6, 6–330
24. Juan Carlos Ferrero4Indian Wells Masters, United StatesHard1R6–4, 6–338
25. Marat Safinbgcolor=thistle2Cincinnati Masters, United StatesHard1R7–6(9–7), 6–238
26. Lleyton Hewittbgcolor=lime1Indianapolis Championships, United StatesHard3R7–6(7–3), 6–441
27. Tommy Haas3Indianapolis Championships, United StatesHardbgcolor=yellowSF3–6, 6–3, 6–341
2004
28. Gastón Gaudio9Cincinnati Masters, United StatesHard2R4–6, 7–6(7–3), 6–496
2006
29. Tommy Robredo10Rome Masters, ItalyClay1R5–7, 6–3, 6–445

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Greg Rusedski | Bio | ATP World Tour | Tennis . ATP World Tour . 2016-08-15.
  2. Web site: Greg Rusedski: Player Profile. atpworldtour.com. 13 June 2014.
  3. News: Sport's League of Nations. BBC Sport. 19 March 2001.
  4. Web site: Rusedski Plays for England. The Canadian Encyclopedia. 21 March 2014. 17 August 2019.
  5. Web site: Rusedski Plays for England. The Canadian Encyclopedia. 21 March 2014. 17 August 2019.
  6. News: Greg Rusedski's career in pictures. 7 April 2007. BBC Sport.
  7. News: Rusedski weds sweetheart Lucy. BBC Sport. 4 December 1999.
  8. News: Rusedski delighted with new baby. BBC Sport. 27 January 2006.
  9. Web site: Greg Rusedski in second baby joy. Confetti. 6 October 2009. 1 September 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20110719062904/http://www.confetti.co.uk/article/view/13773-8352-0-Greg_Rusedski_in_second_baby_joy_Christenings_Baby.do. 19 July 2011. dead.
  10. News: Canadians give Rusedski a rough reception. Independent. 26 July 1995.
  11. Web site: Martin's Rally is Stunner in 5 Sets : U.S. Open: After two-set deficit, he comes back and finishes by winning 20 of last 21 points. Hingis, Venus Williams breeze. Los Angeles Times . 8 September 1999.
  12. News: People. Guardian. 9 January 2008.
  13. Web site: Roddick ends Rusedski dream . BBC News . 25 June 2003.
  14. News: Rusedski fined for outburst. BBC Sport. 26 June 2003.
  15. News: Rusedski fails drugs test. BBC Sport. 9 January 2004.
  16. News: Rusedski cleared. BBC Sport. 10 March 2004.
  17. News: Rusedski retires after GB victory. BBC Sport. 7 April 2007.
  18. News: Davis Cup: LTA deny Greg Rusedski poised to replace John Lloyd as Great Britain captain. Telegraph. 8 March 2010.
  19. News: Newsweek Champions Cup – Interview with Greg Rusedski. ASAP Sports Inc. 14 March 1998.
  20. News: Roddick clocks record 150-mph serves. USA Today. 7 February 2004. 24 January 2024. https://web.archive.org/web/20070817203831/https://www.usatoday.com/sports/tennis/2004-02-06-roddick-record_x.htm. 17 August 2007.
  21. News: Rusedski confirms surprise comeback . Guardian. 24 January 2009.
  22. News: John Lloyd snubs Greg Rusedski return. https://web.archive.org/web/20170202042552/http://www.thesundaytimes.co.uk/sto/sport/tennis/article145649.ece. dead. 2 February 2017. Times. 25 January 2009.
  23. News: Rusedski comeback on ice as he struggles for wildcards. Guardian. 12 February 2009.
  24. News: Rusedski plans surprise comeback. BBC Sport. 24 January 2009.
  25. News: Greg Rusedski profile. BBC Sport. 10 March 2004.
  26. Web site: Greg Rusedski bio . ATP . 5 July 2013.
  27. Web site: All articles by Greg Rusedski - journalisted.com. journalisted.com. 2017-10-23. 23 October 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20171023174031/http://journalisted.com/greg-rusedski?allarticles=yes. dead.
  28. News: Greg Rusedski: 'I believe in the integrity of tennis. It's time to name names'. Rusedski. Greg. 2016-02-28. The Telegraph. 2017-10-23. en-GB. 0307-1235.
  29. Web site: Agatha Christie's Marple Series 3 - 4 Towards Zero. Radio Times. 19 February 2015.

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