ATP tennis July 23rd 2001

One to Watch: Max Mirnyi

He may be called The Beast on court, but the man from Belarus is anything but a beast off it.
Max Mirnyi has been known as "The Beast" of the ATP circuit for a long time because of his 6'5" (1.96m) frame and dogged determination on court.
And as the 24-year-old Florida resident from Minsk arrives in Los Angeles this week, "The Beast" is ready to pounce on his first ATP title.

"Los Angeles is a fun city and I enjoy playing the event there," says Mirnyi.
"Every time I have a layover at the airport, it's longer than two or three hours, I try to cruise on Sunset Boulevard, sample some food and shop around.
It's a fun place - and there are always people who get your attention in L.A.
" The tennis world first came to know Mirnyi as an excellent doubles player, but after a breakthrough year in the ATP Champions Race 2000, - finishing in 40th position - he has an ever-improving singles game. After winning the Wimbledon and US Open mixed doubles titles with Serena Williams in 1998 and the 2000 US Open doubles title with Lleyton Hewitt, Mirnyi's presence on the singles court has become increasingly dangerous - hence the nickname.

"I want to toughen up." "I don't like to go down without a fight," says Mirnyi. "A friend of mine, Alex Reichel, called me 'The Beast' after a tough three-setter and now it's just spread on the tour." One of the main reasons Mirnyi gives for his on-court determination lies somewhere deep within his character.
"I'm very stubborn, and at times it kind of backfires on me," he says. "At the same time, I believe that being as stubborn as I am helps me persist with what I do on the tennis court and with day to day life. "I believe that if I lose that edge that I would be somewhat softer - I want to toughen myself up."

While that may be ominous news for his opponents, away from the court, Mirnyi is anything but "The Beast" he is known for on it.
With a new-born stepbrother, Timothy, arriving in the family in September last year, Mirnyi loves to spend time with kids.
"He's very small and growing very fast and he brings a lot of joy to the family," says Mirnyi. "I remember when I was eight, I was looking up to some of those players who weren't of the caliber that I am right now, and some of these little kids are looking up to me right now.
"I remember how special the feeling was to me, so I want to do the same thing for the people that I see in every city that I visit and hopefully in their memories in 10 or 20 years down the line, they will still keep it and it will play some role in their lives.

"Coming from a sporting family where his father - and coach - Nikolai was a volleyball player, his mother was a swimmer and his brother Peter plays basketball for his local high school team in Bradenton, Mirnyi always has had sport in his blood. But it's his dad that gives him his inspiration.
"He's been my best friend for all these years and we have a great relationship," says Mirnyi. "I listen to everything he has to say and I respect his advice.
"He draws a line when it comes to playing the guitar, though. "When I feel good with my finger picking, I try and play along with the music," says Max, who names Pink Floyd, Jimi Hendrix and The Doors among his favorites. "My dad always listens to it and sometimes he says: 'Pretty good,' or 'What was that?"