Began playing at age eight with the help of his mother, Svetlana, who also coached his sister, Natalie Medvedeva, who reached a career-high of No. 23 on WTA Tour...Considers himself an ethnic Russian...Last name in Russian means Bear..Enjoys playing golf...Supports Dynamo Kiev and AC Milano soccer teams…Sponsors his hometown tennis club with charitable contributions…Served as chairman of the ATP Tour Charities in 1995...Has a 31-8 career Davis Cup record (20-3 in singles) in 16 ties since 1993...Coached by childhood friend Andrei Rybalko (since April 1999) and fitness trainer is Anatoly Glebov.
2000 -- An injury-plagued year for the Ukrainian, who failed to reach a final for the first time since his debut year on the ATP circuit in 1991…Struggled for first three months of season, going 1-6 before reaching 2nd RD at Ericsson Open - Miami…On favored clay courts, won both Davis Cup singles rubbers against Arazi and El Aynaoui as Ukraine lost 3-2 to Morocco in Casablanca…Reached season-best SF in Estoril with QF win over Henman before losing to Moya, and reached 3RD at Tennis Masters Series events in Rome (l. to Norman) and Hamburg (l. Pioline)…After QF showing in St. Poelten, won three matches at Roland Garros before losing to Norman in 4th RD…Went 1-2 on grass courts at Halle and Wimbledon…Returned to clay in Stuttgart where he defeated Kafelnikov in 2nd RD en route to QF…Following week in San Marino, reached SF but suffered torn right ankle ligaments on July 28 in off-court recreational incident prior to match against Calatrava that put him out for rest of season…Withdrew from US Open, his first Grand Slam tournament missed since '94 Australian Open…Went 20-8 on clay courts and 3-0 Davis Cup.
1999 -- Finished in Top 30 for sixth time in eight years, highlighted by reaching first career Grand Slam final at Roland Garros (l. to Agassi)…Struggled early in season with a right wrist injury and did not play for four weeks prior to Paris…En route to final, beat No. 2 Sampras (2nd) and '97 winner Kuerten (QF) before losing in five sets…Held two-set lead (61 62) until American battled back to win 64 in fifth set…The lowest-ranked Roland Garros finalist climbed from 100 to No. 30 on June 7.
1998 -- Reached lone final in Bastad (l. to Gustafsson).
1997 -- Won a Tour title for sixth consecutive year at Super 9 in Hamburg (d. Krajicek, Kafelnikov, Mantilla in last three rounds).
1996 -- Hampered with nagging injuries (back, shoulder) throughout year...Won his 10th career ATP Tour title in Long Island (d. Damm)...Reached final in Bastad (l. to Gustafsson).
1995 -- Repeated title in Hamburg (d. Ivanisevic)...Opened year with QF at Australian Open (l. to Chang), but fractured his left wrist...Reached five QF rest of year.
1994 -- Returned after January knee surgery and reached final in Estoril (l. to C. Costa)...Won Super 9 stops in Monte Carlo (d. Bruguera) and Hamburg (d. Kafelnikov).
1993 -- Won titles in Estoril (d. Novacek), Barcelona (d. Bruguera) and New Haven (d. Korda)...Qualified for his first ATP Tour World Championship and reached SF (l. to Sampras)...Joined Wilander and Becker as only teenagers to surpass $1 million in a season.
1992 -- Won Tour titles in Genova (at 17 yrs., 10 mos.), Stuttgart-outdoor and Bordeaux.
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