Alexandr Dolgopolov

Alexandr Dolgopolov () (born 7 November 1988), formerly known as Oleksandr Dolgopolov Jr., is the top ranked Ukrainian male tennis player. He changed his first name to the current form in May 2010.

Early life

Alexandr Dolgopolov has the genes of athletes. His father, Oleksandr Dolgopolov, was a professional tennis player for the Soviet team whilst his mother was a gymnast. He started tennis at the age of 3, coached by his father. The senior Dolgopolov was the coach of Andrei Medvedev, Ukraine's most successful tennis player to date. At a young age, Dolgopolov lived on the tour with his parents, travelling frequently and playing players such as Medvedev, Andre Agassi and Boris Becker. Players such as Jim Courier remembered hitting balls with Dolgopolov when he was a 3–4 years-old toddler.

He began playing tennis seriously as a teenager, turning professional in 2006.

Tennis career

Dolgopolov made his ATP Tour debut in September 2006 at the BCR Open Romania as a qualifier, losing in the first round to Christophe Rochus. He was also part of the Ukrainian Davis Cup team in the tie against Great Britain, where he was defeated by Andy Murray.

Eventually, the younger Dolgopolov decided that he wanted less of his father's influence and develop himself in his own way. In 2009, at age 20, he parted ways with his father and enlisted the help of Australian Jack Reader as his coach....
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