Russell Competes in Final US Open, Retires
CORAL GABLES, Fla. – Former University of Miami Hurricane and professional tennis player Michael Russell competed in his final US Open this weekend, then retired from the sport after 17 years on tour.
“To be able to travel the world, experience cultures, meet my wife through tennis, play as long as I did and come back from career-threatening injuries is just incredible,” Russell said at the US Open this weekend. “The sport is in my soul. I’d love to stay in the game and help future American players. You’ll probably see me a lot.”
Appearing in the main draw at the US Open for the 10th year, Russell and his teammate Donald Young won a pair of matches at this year’s event, the first time Russell reached the third round of a Grand Slam since 2001. A third-round loss to Americans Steve Johnson and Sam Querrey ended the run for “Iron Mike,” who was one of the most well-liked and respected players on tour.
The 37-year-old Russell is currently ranked No. 425 in the world in singles, although he has been as high as No. 60, in 2007. In doubles, he is ranked No. 519, with a career-high ranking of No. 164 in 2012.
“Michael Russell was the ultimate tennis competitor,” said Miami coach Mario Rincon. “He was an inspiration to junior and college players, and was admired on the pro tour by his peers for almost two decades. We are proud of him at The U.”
After turning pro in 1998, he played on the Challenger circuit, winning 15 ITF and USTA Pro Circuit singles titles. He has won 77 matches in his career, and played past the first round in five Grand Slam singles events and twice in doubles.
Russell said farewell on Twitter Wednesday, stating, “A genuine, heartfelt thank you to my family, friends & fans for an incredible 17 year career #forevergrateful.”
Born on Jan. 5, 1978 in Detroit, Russell came to the University of Miami as the No. 1 ranked junior tennis player in the United States. As a high-school student, Russell was a member of the USTA National Tennis Team and competed in Junior Wimbledon, French Junior Open, Australian Junior Open and Italian Junior Open.
During his All-American freshman season, Russell set the UM singles season record with a 39-8 (.830) mark including a 23-2 (.920) record in tournament play. In addition to his singles season record, Russell posted a 21-11 doubles record. His 21 doubles victories makes him one of only 22 UM players who have surpassed the 20-victory threshold. During his record-setting season, Russell recorded 22 consecutive tournament victories, including victories at Penn Conference Classic, Rolex Eastern Regional Championship and Rolex National Intercollegiate Indoor Tennis Championship.
Russell finished the 1996-97 season ranked as the No. 7 collegiate player in the country, after being ranked as high as No. 3 during the season. Due to his outstanding freshman campaign, he was one of 10 men’s players named to the 1997 Rolex Collegiate All-Star Team, selected by the Intercollegiate Tennis Association and Tennis Magazine, and was selected as the ITA Region I Rookie Player of the Year. Russell was also named BIG EAST Championship Most Outstanding Player after leading the Hurricanes to an upset win over No. 13 Notre Dame in the championship to earn the Hurricanes’ fourth BIG EAST title in five seasons. Russell did not lose a match, singles (2-0) or doubles (3-0) in the entire tournament.
The summer prior to Russell becoming a professional, he was on the USTA All-American Summer Team, an elite training program for top college players. As a member, he won circuit events in Waco, Texas, Tulsa, Okla., Lafayette, La., and Dallas to claim second place in the points race in mid-July.
