Q&A With Alexandr Dolgopolov

© Getty ImagesAlexandr Dolgopolov defeated Marcos Baghdatis in the first round in Beijing this week.

Currently ranked No. 56 in the South African Airways 2010 ATP Rankings, 21-year-old Alexandr Dolgopolov has increased his ranking nearly 100 spots since the beginning of the year. Defeating the likes of Mikhail Youzhny, Mardy Fish, Fernando Gonzalez, and James Blake throughout the 2010 season, Dolgopolov continues to raise his profile as an up-and-coming star on the circuit.

Prior to his first-round victory over Marcos Baghdatis at the China Open, Dolgopolov had a chance to answer a few questions regarding his success this year, and his outlook toward the 2011 season.

Possessing a fantastic forehand and a deceptively quick serve, Dolgopolov will certainly be a name to watch out for in the future. 

Q: You have increased your ranking nearly 100 spots from the beginning of the year, what would you consider the primary reason for your success this season?
A: First of all, being almost injury free during the whole season. [This is] one of the first injury-free years I’ve had in my career. Plus, I got a lot of confidence last year and now I am playing much more solid in all aspects of my game.

Q: Which victory on the ATP World Tour or at Grand Slam level has meant the most to you this year?
A: It was probably at Roland Garros [in the] first-round against Arnaud Clement. It was my first Grand Slam main draw, as well as my first five-set match, and an important victory, which helped me reach the third-round afterwards.

Q: After sustaining good results on all three major surfaces, what would you consider your favourite surface?
A: My favorite surface for now is the clay, because I have spent 80 per cent of my time playing on it. But not because of [my] results, because of the way I move and I feel a lot more at home on clay, but soon that can change.

Q: Who would you say has been your toughest opponent on the season and why?
A: I think it was the match against Jo-Wilfried Tsonga [at Wimbledon] because I had to finish it injured, and we had a really tough match. The movement on grass was new for me, so I was working a lot to play well there.

Q: How has your life changed back home with your new found success?
A: It didn’t change at all, [because] tennis is not popular in [the] Ukraine, so I’m the same person I was before at home. Same friends, same stuff to do, no additional things because of the success.

Q: Describe how your coach, Jack Reader, has influenced the success in your career?
A: Well he helped me a lot in the game; he helped me improve my head and made me play without injuries. That is very important. First of all we are good friends; it is not a mere coach-player relationship. So I’m happy with it!

Q: What are some of your ranking goals for the end of 2010, and what are you looking to accomplish in 2011?
A: For now the goal in 2010 is to stay in the Top 50 at the end of the year, because now I have some health issues that don’t let me be in top form. Now I already feel a lot better than during the US tournaments. For 2011 the goal is to get [to the] Top 20 and stay there solid, playing good in the Slams and the ATP [World Tour Masters] 1000 [events].

Q: Describe how a typical day of practice would unfold for you?
A: I wake up around 8 am, [I have] breakfast, [a] 30-40 minute break, warm up, two hours of practice, shower, lunch, one hour sleep, a snack, two [more] hours practice, a bit of gym, stretching or some running, dinner, and finally relax.

Q: You’ve lost to David Ferrer on two occasions this summer, talk about the challenges of playing the Spaniard, and what you’ll need to do in the future in order to defeat him?
A: First of all I will need to get healthy. Both matches I played I didn’t feel [in] top form with my health, and you have to stay 100 per cent concentrated to beat David [because] he is really solid and fights to the last points of the match. But it was a good experience to play two times with him; I hope next year I can do better against players of this level.

Q: Some of your fans call you “Dolgo,” is that a nickname that you prefer?
A: Well probably they call me that the most, so that’s what I prefer. But actually I have no problem if someone calls me another nickname.

Story reproduced with permission from TennisConnected.com