Nikolay Davydenko's form going into the Australian Open was impressive enough to make him
many people's favourite to win the title. Despite playing nearly flawless tennis for a set and a half
against eventual champion Roger Federer, the Russian was unable to extend his winning streak to
14 matches and fell to the world number one at the quarter-final stage.
Dedicated and unassuming in his approach to the sport, Davydenko has struggled to capture the
imagination of the world's sporting media. But if Davydenko, the tennis player, is renowned for
unspectacular efficiency, Davydenko, the man, has seen his reputation enhanced by his grace and
dignity in the face of adversity. His resurgence in the wake of atrocious treatment at the hands of the
ATP was the rousing sub-plot of the men's tour a couple of years ago. Responding to the ruling body's
finger of suspicion with the proverbial two fingers of his own, Davydenko refused to be derailed by the
longest match-fixing investigation in tennis history. The ATP launched the investigation following
betting irregularities during a match between Davydenko and Martin Vassallo Arguello in early August
2007. The pair were finally cleared of any involvement in match-fixing over a year later.
Davydenko's wife Irina, a psychology graduate, and his coach, elder brother Eduard, were
constant and resolute in his corner during this difficult period. As for gambling, Davydenko has
always been dismissive of any suggestions of his involvement in the Betfair scandal. "I stayed at
the Crown [in Melbourne] five years ago and [Yevgeny] Kafelnikov took me to the machines," he revealed
to reporters at the time of the controversy. "I lost $5 my first go and said that was it. Never again.
I do not understand betting. You win money, but you easily lose. It is not for me. I don't do it."
Eduard Davydenko was a talented player himself and he introduced his younger brother to the game
at the age of seven. The pair moved to Germany when Nikolay reached 15. "He [Eduard] pushed me
pretty hard," Nikolay explains. "At 15 we left for Germany. A Russian who lived there convinced
Eduard it would be better for me. In Europe I could play more tournaments and earn more money
than in Russia." He made his mark on the tour in 2003, capturing two ATP titles and finishing
in the Top 50 for the first time. But three years went by before he really began to fulfil his
potential. In 2006 he claimed five ATP titles in seven finals and reached the semi-finals
of the US Open.
Inspired by players like Ivan Lendl and Yannick Noah as a boy, Davydenko developed an aggressive
baseline game. Over the years his style has become particularly effective because he moves well
and hits the ball unusually consistently for someone who takes the ball so early. In recent years,
he has added a sliced backhand to his repertoire, allowing him to approach the net more often.
Away from tennis, Davydenko enjoys fishing, soccer, cycling and hockey. He is a Guns N' Roses fan
and speaks Russian, German and English.
Buoyed with confidence after capturing the ATP World Tour Finals title at the tail-end of last
year, Davydenko can be expected to brush off the disappointment of losing to Federer in Melbourne.
Expect him to be a serious contender at all the other Grand Slam events in 2010.
|
