Kravchuk Makes Emotional Top 100 Debut

Konstantin Kravchuk can tell you that patience is a virtue. The 31 year old has been fighting to realise his dreams as a professional tennis player since first turning pro in 2004, and on Monday he made his long-awaited debut in the Top 100 of the Emirates ATP Rankings.

Now one of five Russians in the Top 100, the Moscow native achieved the feat after reaching the final of the ATP Challenger Tour event in Astana last week, defeating second seed and former World No. 33 Denis Istomin to seal his place among the game’s elite.

“It was very emotional,” Kravchuk told ATPWorldTour.com. “When I served on match point and Denis didn’t return, I put my hands to my face and just sat there for a minute. Then, the tears came automatically. My entire tennis life, since my first pro match, came back to me.”

Ten years removed from making his ATP World Tour debut in Moscow, Kravchuk has enjoyed a breakthrough 2016 campaign, winning his second ATP Challenger Tour title in Busan, South Korea, in May, and surging up the Emirates ATP Rankings. Two weeks ago, he claimed his first match win on the ATP World Tour since 2013 with a three-set upset of Guido Pella on the clay of Gstaad.

“The biggest difference was Wimbledon. I got to warm up with Novak Djokovic and hit with Andy Murray. Hitting with the No. 1 and No. 2 players in the world and seeing how they approached a practice was really important. After this, I took a big step with my attitude and confidence.”

With a new chapter in his professional journey just starting, Kravchuk has new goals as he continues his ascent up the Emirates ATP Rankings.

“My goal is to finish this season as high as I can,” he added. “Of course I want to play my home [ATP World Tour] tournaments in St. Petersburg and Moscow and also be a part of our Davis Cup tie against Kazakhstan for a spot in the World Group. This is a big milestone, but just the beginning.”