Max Mirnyi Wins His 50th Title In Tennis Doubles In Moscow

By Francisco Resendiz

 

Max Mirnyi has long embraced his annual autumn trips to Moscow a tennis homecoming.

 

Twenty-one years after his Kremlin Cup debut, Mirnyi celebrated homecoming hugging a major milestone.

 

The ageless Mirnyi collected his 50th career ATP doubles championship, partnering Philipp Oswald to a 6-3, 7-5 sweep of Damir Dzumhur and Antonio Sancic in the Kremlin Cup final.

 

 

“I am absolutely thrilled to have won this special title in Moscow,” Mirnyi told 10sballs.com “It’s an event that I always consider a home event. I had family and friends support me through the tournament this year and I am delighted to share this title with all of them.”

 

The 40-year-old Belarusian has played some of his most dynamic doubles on the Moscow carpet that rewards his swarming serve-and-volley style.

 

 

Five of Mirnyi’s 50 career titles have come in Moscow with five different partners, a testament to his longevity as a champion and his versatility as a partner.

 

The Beast of Belarus relishes the beauty of creating synchronicity with different partners.

 

Mirnyi partnered Sandon Stolle to his first Moscow crown in 2001, successfully defended it alongside Roger Federer in 2002, realized the rare doubles three-peat playing with Mahesh Bhupathi in 2003 and gave Russian fans more reason to rejoice joining forces with Mikhail Youzhny to collect the 2005 Kremlin Cup title.

 

“There is always a special pressure when you are playing at home,” Mirnyi said. “And I think the Kremlin Cup is a home tournament for me as unfortunately we haven’t got an ATP tournament in Minsk…many of my relatives and friends came to watch my matches and that is the one more reason to show your best. And when you managed to do this, it is a great pleasure.”

 

While Mirnyi’s physicality was immediately apparent when he partnered Lleyton Hewitt to win the 200 US Open, it’s his ability to fuse instinctual net play with an analytical approach to opponents that’s empowered his longevity.

 

He’s won Grand Slam doubles silverware with several partners, including Jonas Bjorkman, Daniel Nestor, Bhupathyi and Hewitt because of his adaptability and all-court acumen. Mirnyi has won three championships with Federer, which is the most the 19-time Grand Slam champion has won with any partner.

 

Mirnyi’s game is a melting pot of global influences. Born in Belarus, he moved to Brooklyn in 1991, relocated to Bradenton, Florida and the Nick Bollettieri Academy in 1992 and is a bit of a tennis Renaissance man.

 

He’s a Grand Slam champions who holds a law degree, carried his nation’s flag at the 2012 Olympics is a UNICEF Goodwill Ambassador and more than two decades after his pro debut still displays hands faster than a hockey goalie at net.

 

Mirnyi raised his Moscow record to 24-5 winning his first ATP doubles championship since the 2016 Acapulco, while giving his family, friends and partner a memory for a lifetime.

 

“It means a lot because when you look at the list of winners with Max, he’s won this tournament five times with Federer and all those top stars and now it also says 50th title with Oswald,” Oswald said. “Partnering with Max is like being in an elite club of top players.”

 

Editors Note: Most of the team of 10sBalls are part of “Team Belarus” Aunt Lisonka and TommyBoy Hosted The Engagement Party. We were with him in London for his 40th Birthday at WIMBLEDON. We watched the matches with brother Peter who serves as a hitting partner, coach, physio, stretcher, travel buddy, the guy is so laid back you almost want to check his pulse. He is the perfect man for the job. It’s team Mirnyi. It’s Family Mirnyi. Many of us in “the tennis Family” have known Max 20 plus years. Always loyal. Always thinking and asking questions. Always pushing everyone a little harder. So kind. Latest example always tolerant of Vito’s endless questions or remarks about doubles right now. Guess what Vito. The guys today are Awesome. The players are all one breath away or a hair from winning or losing. The scoring. The fitness level is equal to the singles players.

I didn’t forget Papa Nik. One of the best tennis dads ever. Between Max and his Dad Nikolai they put The “T” in Tennis in Minsk. Ok.. they put the T and the ENNIS! Tennis exits in Belarus because of the Mirnyi’s.

And we saved the best for last. The family that Max created with the beautiful Xenia. The Max Mirnyi Family is a great bunch of interesting children. All beautiful and peaceful and talented. All loving and wonderful.

The home life they provide gives Max the balance and stability to still be a globetrotter and professional tennis player.

We give Ksusha partial credit for all trophies won on her watch.

Bravo BEAST.

Always special to come and play at the Kremlin Cup in Moscow. Virtually my home event. Thank you @vtbkremlincup for your warm hospitality over the years. Thank you @pistol_ossi for being a Rock this week. So happy for my 50th Title to have come this week. Thank you all for the support. – Photo by @maxmirnyi via Instagram.

 

@maxmirnyi claims his 50th career doubles title joining @pistol_ossi to defeat #Dzumhur/#Sancic 6-3 7-5 for the @vtbkremlincup! – Photo by @atpworldtour via Instagram.

 

Photo by Alejandro Gonzalez for 10sBalls.com