David Nainkin

David Nainkin (born 20 September 1970) is a former professional tennis player from South Africa.[1]

David Nainkin
Country (sports) South Africa
ResidenceLos Angeles, California, United States
Born (1970-09-20) 20 September 1970
Durban, South Africa
Height6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Turned pro1992
PlaysRight-handed
Prize moneyUS$501,132
Singles
Career record27–45
Career titles0
Highest rankingNo. 132 (8 Jan 1999)
Grand Slam Singles results
Australian Open1R (1994, 1996)
Wimbledon2R (1998)
US Open3R (1998)
Doubles
Career record8–20
Career titles0
Highest rankingNo. 138 (28 Feb 1994)
Grand Slam Doubles results
US Open1R (1994)

Career

Nainkin never reached a final on the ATP Tour but made it into the semi finals of the 1995 Nokia Open in Beijing, before losing to Michael Chang.[2]

He had the best win of his Grand Slam career at the 1996 US Open when he upset countryman and number nine seed Wayne Ferreira 6–4, 6–4, 2–6, 7–5 in the opening round. This was despite Nainkin being ranked 215 in the world and having never previously won a Gram Slam match in five attempts.[3] He lost in straight sets to Jonas Björkman in the second round. In the 1998 US Open he made it into the third round, his best ever showing, with wins over fellow qualifier Mark Merklein (6–7, 6–0, 6–4, 6–4 ) and French Open winner Gustavo Kuerten (2–6, 6–4, 6–3, 6–4). He was then eliminated by eventual champion Patrick Rafter 6–1, 6–1, 6–1.

The South African represented his country at the 1998 and 1999 Davis Cups.[4]

He now works for the United States Tennis Association and coaches top American players such as Mardy Fish, Sam Querrey and Sloane Stephens. Previously, he had been the personal coach of Wayne Ferreira.[5]

Challenger titles

Singles: (1)
No. Date Tournament Surface Opponent Score
1. 1994 Seoul, South Korea Hard Michael Joyce 6–7, 6–3, 7–5

Doubles: (4)
No. Date Tournament Surface Partner Opponents Score
1. 1989 Johannesburg, South Africa Grass Lan Bale Neil Broad
Stefan Kruger		 4–6, 6–4, 6–2
2. 1992 Perth Australia Hard Lan Bale Andrew Florent
Andrew McLean		 3–6, 7–6, 7–5
3. 1993 Rome, Italy Clay Grant Stafford Danilo Marcelino
Fernando Meligeni		 6–0, 6–1
4. 1993 Jakarta, Indonesia Hard Lan Bale Mathias Huning
Adam Malik		 6–7, 7–6, 7–6

References
  1. ATP World Tour Profile
  2. IFT Tennis Profile
  3. New York Times, "Ferreira, South Africa's Best, Is Stunned by Nainkin, the World's 215th Best", 29 August 1996, Robin Finn
  4. Davis Cup Profile
  5. USTA Profile
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