Bio
Began playing tennis at age seven with his older brother Eduard, who was a gifted player himself and has been a big influence in his career...Parents Vladimir and Tatjana live in Volgograd, Russia...Born in Severodonezk, Ukraine but at age of 15 moved to Salmtal, Germany...Received Russian citizenship at 18 and moved back to Russia in early 2004...His favorite players growing up were Ivan Lendl and Yannick Noah... Enjoys fishing, soccer and hockey...Considers clay and rebound ace (hard) his favorite surfaces and strength is his quickness...Has an 8-4 Davis Cup record in singles in eight ties...Former Russian President Boris Yeltsin attended his title effort in Moscow in 2004 and his Davis Cup home ties in 2005...Wife, Irina (married Nov. 25, 2006 in Moscow)...Coached by his brother Eduard (since 1992)
Wife
Nikolay is married to Irina a psycologist from Moscow. They began dating at the Estoril Open in 2003 and Got Married in Novermber of 2006.
