&sq=&lang=&file=File:Michael_Russell_flickr_pic.jpg) Michael Russell (May 2011) | |
| Full name | Michael Craig Russell |
|---|---|
| Country (sports) |  United States |
| Residence | Houston, Texas |
| Born | May 1, 1978 Detroit, Michigan |
| Height | 5 ft 8 in (1.73 m) |
| Turned pro | 1998 |
| Retired | 2015 |
| Plays | Right-handed (two-handed backhand) |
| College | Miami (FL) |
| Prize money | $2,352,870 |
| Singles | |
| Career record | 77–150 |
| Career titles | 0 |
| Highest ranking | No. 60 (August 13, 2007) |
| Grand Slam singles results | |
| Australian Open | 2R (2008, 2011) |
| French Open | 4R (2001) |
| Wimbledon | 2R (2010, 2012) |
| US Open | 1R (1998, 2000, 2001, 2006, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013) |
| Doubles | |
| Career record | 23–51 |
| Career titles | 0 |
| Highest ranking | No. 164 (June 11, 2012) |
| Grand Slam doubles results | |
| Australian Open | 1R (2010) |
| French Open | 1R (2007, 2010, 2011, 2012) |
| Wimbledon | 2R (2011) |
| US Open | 3R (2015) |
Michael Craig Russell (born May 1, 1978) is an American former professional tennis player, and tennis coach. He reached a career-high singles ranking of World No. 60 in August 2007. His 23 United States Tennis Association (USTA) Pro Circuit singles titles were the all-time record, as of November 2013. That month he became the American No. 3.
In 1994 Russell was ranked No. 1 in both singles and doubles in the USTA Boys' 16 rankings, and in 1996 he was ranked No. 1 in singles in the U.S. Boys' 18-Under. Playing for the University of Miami in 1996–97, he was named National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Rookie of the Year, before he turned pro in 1997. A high school valedictorian, Russell was one of few Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) players in his time who had a college degree, having earned a B.S. from the University of Phoenix with a 3.94 grade point average.
Russell struggled with knee injuries for much of his professional career.[1] He is perhaps best known for, on two occasions, holding surprise two-set leads in major tournaments against former major champions, before eventually being defeated both times.[2] In the fourth round of the 2001 French Open (his best run at a major) against defending and eventual champion Gustavo Kuerten (as well as the contemporary world No. 1), Russell led two-sets-to love and 5–3 in the third set, and held a match point, but was defeated in five sets. In the 2007 Australian Open, he held a two-sets-to-love lead over former US Open and Wimbledon champion Lleyton Hewitt, before succumbing in five sets. Other career highlights include a fourth-round showing at the 2007 Indian Wells Masters event, a semifinal appearance at the 2012 U.S. Men's Clay Court Championships, and wins against top-10 players Mardy Fish and Tomáš Berdych. On the Challenger Tour, he finished his career at No. 8 in match wins (276) and tied for fifth in titles (15).
Russell started Michael Russell Tennis, a private tennis coaching business in 2015. He has coached Frances Tiafoe, Ryan Harrison, Sam Querrey, Taylor Fritz and Mackenzie McDonald through USTA Player Development.
- ^ Marvin Glassman (August 25, 2010). "Oldest player schools young guns at Rogers Cup". The Canadian Jewish News. Retrieved November 11, 2013.
- ^ "Michael Russell: Circuit Player of the Week". USTA. May 25, 2008. Retrieved November 10, 2013.