Since a couple of years ago, the good health of Russian tennis began to be noticed, so the glorious 2021 for a nation still punished by international suspensions for doping, should not be entirely surprising.
It all started in February in the ATP Cup disputed in Australia. In what was just the second edition of this new competition between national teams, Russia beat Italy in the end. Nine months later, he closed the year with the victory in the Davis Cup, which although it is not the end of the chapter, it is the title that makes Russians fear in what it paints for a historic 2022.
At all levels
Russia was present at award ceremonies in practically all the categories that make up the ATP, from tournaments Challenger until Grand Slams, starting with the jewel of the Asian giant, the No. 2 in the world Daniil Medvedev. The now rival to beat, not only got his first big in the US Open defeating No.1 Novak Djokovic, but won titles in Marseille, in the Canadian Masters, in Mallorca and was a finalist in the Australian Open, Paris Masters and the ATP Finals, to reach a total of 13 titles in his career.
A year younger, at 24, his good friend follows Andrey Rublev, who in addition to adding his first title ATP In Rotterdam, far from the five added in 2020, he played another three finals and won an Olympic gold in mixed doubles. Without a doubt, a medal that the two best in the ranking envy him.
Perhaps more impressive is taking a jump of almost 100 rungs on that list. Aslan Karatsev It has been one of the revelations of 2021, which started at position 112 and is now part of the Top 20.
Reach the semifinals in Melbourne It was no coincidence, he added the first two titles of his career in Dubai and Moscow, showing that a 28-year-old tennis player can still stand out.
Also in women
In the female branch, Russia It has in Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova to his best ranked at step 11. Together with Andrey Rublev he won the gold medal in Tokyo in a memorable mixed doubles final between Russians.
In addition, Daria Kasatkina is in position 26, with 24 years, and in 31 we find Veronika Kudermetova, who ranks 14th in doubles. The list goes on, in the WTA there are a total of eight players in the Top 100, only behind US representatives, which speaks of a constancy. The greatest achievement that the Russians boast this year was adding their fifth title in the Billie Jean King Cup, by beating Switzerland.
While Russia has its former white sports idols in Yevgeni Kafelnikov, who added 26 trophies, Nikolay Davydenko, who stayed with 21 and in Marat Safin with 15, without leaving out María Sharapova in the women’s, the present and future are already palpable, especially with three players who do not exceed 25 years and in the WTA with five players Top 40.
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