Denis Kudla was the last remaining American in the Wimbledon men’s draw when he walked out onto the court for his 4th round match against Marin Cilic. He unfortunately got the short end of the stick today, losing in 4 sets, but we are hoping to see more of this rising American player. So, who exactly is Denis Kudla?
Kudla was born in the Ukraine, but his family immigrated to the US when he was only 1 years old. His father put him and his brother into tennis to keep them busy and out of trouble. Little did he know that his son would be carrying the US this Wimbledon. From the beginning, Kudla showed talent and potential. The road to professional success has been a long one, though, and he came into Wimbledon ranked only 105 in the world. It seems that he has finally found his stride with an impressive 12-1 record on grass this year before stepping on court with Cilic.
Kudla is on the shorter side for professional tennis players, standing at only 5’11”. He used this to his advantage on the lawns of Wimbledon. He stayed low easier and seemed unfazed by the bounce-less and sliding surface. He doesn’t have a flashy serve, but he is a solid returner, absorbing the power of the bigger guys on the tour. He is an aggressive baseline player who moves well and utilizes the entire court.
Cilic unfortunately knocked Kudla out of Wimbledon this morning, just a few days after clinching a close 5th set against American Isner the round before. We can only hope Kudla maintains the confidence that this grass season has offered him. Kudla, we salute you, and we look forward to watching your future success!
