Blaž Kavčič (born 5 March 1987) is a Slovenian former professional tennis player. He was the highest ranked Slovenian male player ever, achieving a career-high of World No. 68 in August 2012, until Aljaž Bedene began to play for Slovenia again in January 2018, overtaking him with a career high ranking of 49. He became the first Slovenian ATP singles player to: achieve a Top 100 ranking, win a Grand Slam main draw match and perform at the Summer Olympics. He became the second Slovene ATP player earning over 2 million US dollars in prize money and is the second highest ever paid male Slovene player in history after Aljaž Bedene.
Country (sports) | |
---|---|
Residence | Dubai, UAE |
Born | Ljubljana, SR Slovenia, Yugoslavia | 5 March 1987
Height | 1.88 m (6 ft 2 in) |
Turned pro | 2005 |
Retired | 2022 |
Plays | Right-handed (two-handed backhand) |
Coach | Blaž Trupej |
Prize money | $2,017,578 |
Official website | en.blazkavcic.com |
Singles | |
Career record | 57–89 |
Career titles | 0 |
Highest ranking | No. 68 (6 August 2012)[1] |
Grand Slam singles results | |
Australian Open | 3R (2013) |
French Open | 2R (2010, 2011, 2012, 2013) |
Wimbledon | 2R (2015) |
US Open | 3R (2014) |
Other tournaments | |
Olympic Games | 2R (2012) |
Doubles | |
Career record | 13–17 |
Career titles | 0 |
Highest ranking | No. 178 (13 May 2012) |
Grand Slam doubles results | |
US Open | 1R (2011, 2012) |
Last updated on: 25 July 2022. |
Tennis career
edit2005–2007: Turning pro, Davis Cup debut
editKavčič turned professional in 2005 playing exclusively on the ATP Futures and ATP Challenger Series circuit for three seasons.
In 2006, Kavčič made his Davis Cup debut for Slovenia.
2008–2009: ATP Challenger debut
editIn 2008 he qualified for the ATP event in Zagreb, where he lost to Roko Karanušić. In Pörtschach he defeated Teymuraz Gabashvili in the first round before losing to Igor Kunitsyn. He finished the year ranked No. 260.
In 2009 he didn't play in any of ATP Tour main draws. He played in qualifications of three Grand Slams, but lost all of them. He also played in Davis Cup.
2010–2011: Major debut and first wins
editIn 2010 he reached the second round in Houston on clay, but lost to big serving Sam Querrey.
Kavčič played in the 2010 French Open where he won his first grand slam match by defeating Eduardo Schwank. He became the first Slovenian male player to directly qualify for a Grand Slam tournament without having to go through qualifying rounds.
Together with Slovenia Davis Cup Team he won the 2010 Davis Cup Europe/Africa Zone Group II, ensuring Slovenia to advance to Europe/Africa Zone Group I.
In 2011 in Chennai he reached his first career quarterfinal on the ATP Tour. He lost there against Tomáš Berdych from Czech Republic.[2]
At the 2011 Australian Open he reached the second round for the first time in his career. He was the first Slovenian ATP player ever in the second round of the Major in Australia.
As the first Slovenian player to participate in the ATP Masters 1000 series, he made his debut at 2011 Sony Ericsson Open in Miami and lost in three sets in the first round against Olivier Rochus.
At the 2011 Serbia Open he lost his second quarterfinal match in straight sets against Novak Djokovic.
At the 2011 Swedish Open he lost his third quarterfinal match against Tomáš Berdych.
At the 2011 US Open he played his first tournament where he lost in the first round. He also played his first Grand Slam men's doubles and lost in the first round.
2012: Career high ranking, historic Olympics debut
editAt the 2012 Australian Open he lost in the second round against Juan Martín del Potro.
At the 2012 French Open he lost in straight sets in the second round against Novak Djokovic.
At the 2012 Summer Olympics he reached second round where he lost against David Ferrer. He was the first Slovenian who competed in the men's singles tennis competition at the Olympic Games.[3]
2013–2014: Two Grand Slam third rounds
editAt the 2013 Australian Open, Kavcic made it to the third round of a grand slam for the first time in his career, defeating the 29th seed Thomaz Bellucci and local wildcard James Duckworth, before losing to 7th seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in straight sets.
At the 2013 French Open he lost in five sets in the second round against Andreas Seppi.
At the 2014 US Open he reached the third round for the first time at this Major, defeating Donald Young and 30th seed Jeremy Chardy on the way but withdrew from his third round match with third seed Stan Wawrinka.
2020–2021: Thirty Challenger finals and third doubles title
editAt the 2021 Zadar Open he won his third Challenger doubles title partnering his good friend Blaž Rola. At the 2021 Split Open he lost to Rola in his 31st Challenger singles final.[4]
2022: Retirement
editHe officially announced his retirement in April at the end of the season in September after the Davis Cup.[5][6][7]
ATP Challenger and ITF Futures finals
editSingles: 36 (19–17)
edit
|
|
Result | W–L | Date | Tournament | Tier | Surface | Opponent | Score |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Win | 1–0 | Aug 2006 | Croatia F4, Čakovec | Futures | Clay | 6–3, 6–3 | |
Win | 2–0 | Sep 2006 | Croatia F6, Zagreb | Futures | Clay | 6–4, 7–5 | |
Loss | 2–1 | Dec 2006 | Tunisia F7, Mégrine | Futures | Hard | 6–4, 1–6, 4–6 | |
Loss | 2–2 | Jun 2007 | Bosnia and Herzegovina F4, Prijedor | Futures | Clay | 3–6, 4–6 | |
Loss | 2–3 | Jun 2008 | Slovenia F3, Koper | Futures | Clay | 6–2, 1–6, 2–6 | |
Loss | 2–4 | May 2009 | Sanremo, Italy | Challenger | Clay | 6–2, 2–6, 5–7 | |
Loss | 2–5 | May 2009 | Busan, South Korea | Challenger | Hard | 2–6, 2–6 | |
Win | 3–5 | May 2009 | Alessandria, Italy | Challenger | Clay | 7–5, 6–3 | |
Win | 4–5 | Jun 2009 | Constanța, Romania | Challenger | Clay | 3–6, 6–3, 6–4 | |
Loss | 4–6 | Jul 2009 | Rijeka, Croatia | Challenger | Clay | 3–6, 6–7(2–7) | |
Win | 5–6 | Aug 2010 | Qarshi, Uzbekistan | Challenger | Hard | 7–6(8–6), 7–6(7–5) | |
Win | 6–6 | Sep 2010 | Rijeka, Croatia | Challenger | Clay | 6–4, 3–6, 7–6(7–5) | |
Win | 7–6 | Sep 2010 | Ljubljana, Slovenia | Challenger | Clay | 6–2, 4–6, 7–5 | |
Loss | 7–7 | Aug 2011 | Qarshi, Uzbekistan | Challenger | Hard | 3–6, 6–1, 1–6 | |
Win | 8–7 | Sep 2011 | Banja Luka, Bosnia and Herzegovina | Challenger | Clay | 6–4, 6–1 | |
Loss | 8–8 | Mar 2012 | Florianópolis, Brazil | Challenger | Clay | 3–6, 4–6 | |
Win | 9–8 | Apr 2012 | São Paulo, Brazil | Challenger | Clay | 6–3, 7–5 | |
Win | 10–8 | Jun 2012 | Fürth, Germany | Challenger | Clay | 6–3, 2–6, 6–2 | |
Win | 11–8 | Sep 2013 | Bangkok, Thailand | Challenger | Hard | 6–3, 6–1 | |
Win | 12–8 | Jun 2014 | Fergana, Uzbekistan | Challenger | Hard | 6–4, 7–6(10–8) | |
Win | 13–8 | Jun 2014 | Tianjin, China | Challenger | Hard | 6–2, 3–6, 7–5 | |
Loss | 13–9 | Jun 2014 | Nanchang, China | Challenger | Hard | 3–6, 6–2, 6–7(3–7) | |
Win | 14–9 | Jul 2014 | Portorož, Slovenia | Challenger | Hard | 7–5, 6–7(4–7), 6–1 | |
Win | 15–9 | Mar 2015 | Shenzhen, China | Challenger | Hard | 7–5, 6–4 | |
Loss | 15–10 | Apr 2015 | Batman, Turkey | Challenger | Hard | 7–6(7–5), 3–6, 3–6 | |
Loss | 15–11 | Jul 2016 | Winnipeg, Canada | Challenger | Hard | 7–6(7–4), 4–6, 2–6 | |
Win | 16–11 | Sep 2016 | Bangkok, Thailand | Challenger | Hard | 6–0, 1–0 ret. | |
Loss | 16–12 | Jan 2017 | Bangkok, Thailand | Challenger | Hard | 3–6, 6–7(1–7) | |
Loss | 16–13 | Feb 2017 | Kyoto, Japan | Challenger | Hard | 3–6, 4–6 | |
Loss | 16–14 | Mar 2017 | Shenzhen, China | Challenger | Hard | 6–7(6–8), 4–6 | |
Win | 17–14 | Jul 2017 | Winnipeg, Canada | Challenger | Hard | 7–5, 3–6, 7–5 | |
Win | 18–14 | Jul 2017 | Granby, Canada | Challenger | Hard | 6–3, 2–6, 7–5 | |
Win | 19–14 | Sep 2018 | Shanghai, China | Challenger | Hard | 6–1, 7–6(7–1) | |
Loss | 19–15 | Nov 2018 | Shenzhen, China | Challenger | Hard | 2–6, 6–2, 3–6 | |
Loss | 19–16 | Oct 2020 | Biella, Italy | Challenger | Clay | 7–6(7–4), 4–6 ret. | |
Loss | 19–17 | Apr 2021 | Split, Croatia | Challenger | Clay | 6–2, 3–6, 2–6 |
Doubles: 15 (5–9)
edit
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|
Result | W–L | Date | Tournament | Tier | Surface | Partner | Opponents | Score |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Win | 1–0 | Nov 2005 | Tunisia F4, Sfax | Futures | Hard | 7–6(10–8), 6–1 | ||
Loss | 1–1 | Oct 2006 | Portugal F4, Albufeira | Futures | Hard | 3–6, 0–6 | ||
Loss | 1–2 | Apr 2007 | Croatia F5, Rovinj | Futures | Clay | 3–6, 3–6 | ||
Loss | 1–3 | Apr 2007 | Italy F11, Padova | Futures | Clay | 6–7(5–7), 2–6 | ||
Loss | 1–4 | May 2007 | Bosnia and Herzegovina F3, Brčko | Futures | Clay | 4–6, 2–6 | ||
Win | 2–4 | Jun 2007 | Slovenia F2, Maribor | Futures | Clay | 6–3, 6–0 | ||
Win | 3–4 | Sep 2007 | Bosnia and Herzegovina F5, Mostar | Futures | Clay | 4–6, 6–3, [10–5] | ||
Win | 4–4 | Mar 2012 | Florianópolis, Brazil | Challenger | Clay | 6–3, 6–3 | ||
Loss | 4–5 | Apr 2012 | Blumenau, Brazil | Challenger | Clay | 2–6, 0–6 | ||
Loss | 4–6 | Nov 2012 | Montevideo, Uruguay | Challenger | Clay | 2–6, 7–5, [7–10] | ||
Win | 5–6 | Oct 2015 | Sacramento, USA | Challenger | Hard | 6–1, 3–6, [10–3] | ||
Loss | 5–7 | Feb 2017 | Budapest, Hungary | Challenger | Hard | 3–6, 6–3, [14–16] | ||
Loss | 5–8 | Apr 2017 | Anning, China | Challenger | Clay | 7–5, 3–6, [7–10] | ||
Loss | 5–9 | Nov 2019 | Charlottesville, USA | Challenger | Hard | 4–6, 2–6 | ||
Win | 6-9 | Mar 2021 | Zadar, Croatia | Challenger | Clay | 2–6, 6–2, [10–3] |
Singles performance timeline
editW | F | SF | QF | #R | RR | Q# | DNQ | A | NH |
Tournament | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | SR | W–L | Win% | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Grand Slam tournaments | |||||||||||||||||||
Australian Open | Q2 | 1R | 2R | 2R | 3R | 2R | 1R | A | Q2 | 1R | A | Q2 | A | 0 / 7 | 5–7 | 42% | |||
French Open | A | 2R | 2R | 2R | 2R | Q2 | 1R | A | Q2 | Q1 | A | Q1 | Q2 | 0 / 5 | 4–5 | 44% | |||
Wimbledon | Q3 | 1R | 1R | 1R | 1R | A | 2R | Q1 | Q1 | A | Q2 | NH | Q1 | 0 / 5 | 1–5 | 17% | |||
US Open | Q3 | A | 1R | 1R | Q2 | 3R* | A | Q2 | 1R | A | Q2 | A | Q1 | 0 / 4 | 2–3 | 40% | |||
Win–loss | 0–0 | 1–3 | 2–4 | 2–4 | 3–3 | 3–1 | 1–3 | 0–0 | 0–1 | 0–1 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0 / 21 | 12–20 | 38% | |||
ATP Tour Masters 1000 | |||||||||||||||||||
Miami Open | A | A | 1R | A | 1R | A | A | A | A | A | A | NH | A | 0 / 2 | 0–2 | 0% | |||
Monte-Carlo Masters | A | A | A | A | Q2 | A | A | A | A | A | A | NH | A | 0 / 0 | 0–0 | – | |||
Italian Open | A | A | Q2 | 1R | Q2 | A | Q1 | A | A | A | A | A | A | 0 / 1 | 0–1 | 0% | |||
Win–loss | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–1 | 0–1 | 0–1 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0–0 | 0 / 3 | 0–3 | 0% | |||
Olympic Games | |||||||||||||||||||
Summer Olympics | Not Held | 2R | Not Held | A | NH | A | 0 / 1 | 1–1 | 50% | ||||||||||
Career statistics | |||||||||||||||||||
Overall win–loss | 3–2 | 7–8 | 13–18 | 6–15 | 11–15 | 7–7 | 3–10 | 0–0 | 1–2 | 2–8 | 0–0 | 0–1 | 0–0 | 0 / 90 | 57–89 | 39% | |||
Year-end ranking | 125 | 112 | 92 | 92 | 102 | 105 | 151 | 217 | 97 | 206 | 345 | 269 | 293 | N/A |
Davis Cup
editSingles performances (17–9)
editEdition | Round | Date | Against | Surface | Opponent | Result | Outcome |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2006 Europe/Africa Zone Group II | 1R
|
7-Apr-2006 | Clay | Rachid Baba-Aisa | 6–0, 6–1 | Win | |
2008 Europe/Africa Zone Group II | 1R | 11-Apr-2008 | Hard | Marcos Baghdatis | 4–6, 3–6, 4–6 | Lose | |
13-Apr-2008 | Photos Kallias | 6–1, 6–1 | Win | ||||
RPO
|
20-Jul-2008 | Clay | Haithem Abid | 6–3, 3–6, 3–6, 7–5, 6–2 | Win | ||
2009 Europe/Africa Zone Group II | 1R | 6-Mar-2009 | Carpet | Karim Maamoun | 6–0, 6–2, 6–2 | Win | |
8-Mar-2009 | Mahmoud Ezz | 3–6, 7–6(7–5), 6–4 | Win | ||||
QF
|
10-Jul-2009 | Clay | Gvidas Sabeckis | 6–2, 6–3, 6–1 | Win | ||
SF
|
20-Sep-2009 | Carpet | Andis Juška | 3–6, 4–6, 2–6 | Lose | ||
2010 Europe/Africa Zone Group II | 1R
|
5-Mar-2010 | Hard | Stian Boretti | 6–2, 6–4, 6–2 | Win | |
QF | 9-Jul-2010 | Clay | Grigor Dimitrov | 1–6, 6–1, 6–0, 6–3 | Win | ||
11-Jul-2010 | Todor Enev | 6–2, 6–1 | Win | ||||
SF | 17-Sep-2010 | Hard | Ričardas Berankis | 6–3, 2–6, 6–7(9–11), 4–6 | Lose | ||
19-Sep-2010 | Laurynas Grigelis | 6–4, 7–6(7–4), 7–6(7–5) | Win | ||||
2011 Europe/Africa Zone Group I | 1R | 4-Mar-2011 | Clay | Harri Heliövaara | 4–6, 6–2, 6–3, 6–4 | Win | |
6-Mar-2011 | Jarkko Nieminen | 3–6, 4–6, 6–4, 4–6 | Lose | ||||
2R | 8-Jul-2011 | Clay | Potito Starace | 6–3, 3–6, 2–6, 4–6 | Lose | ||
2012 Europe/Africa Zone Group I | 1R
|
10-Feb-2012 | Hard | Frederik Nielsen | 6–2, 6–4, 6–4 | Win | |
2R | 6-Apr-2012 | Hard | Ruan Roalofse | 6–7(5–7), 6–1, 6–1, 6–3 | Win | ||
8-Apr-2012 | Izak van der Merwe | 6–7(3–7), 4–6, 4–6 | Lose | ||||
2013 Europe/Africa Zone Group I | 1R | 1-Feb-2013 | Hard (I) | Jerzy Janowicz | 3–6, 3–6, 5–7 | Lose | |
PO | 13-Sep-2013 | Clay | Ruan Roalofse | 6–1, 6–3, 6–4 | Win | ||
2014 Europe/Africa Zone Group I | 1R | 31-Jan-2014 | Hard (I) | Gastão Elias | 7–6(16–14), 6–1, 6–4 | Win | |
2-Feb-2014 | João Sousa | 7–5, 7–5, 6–2 | Win | ||||
2R
|
4-Apr-2014 | Clay | Amir Weintraub | 6–4, 5–7, 3–6, 6–3, 4–6 | Lose | ||
2017 Europe/Africa Zone Group II | 1R
|
5-Feb-2017 | Hard | Lucas Catarina | 6–4, 2–6, 6–2, 6–4 | Win | |
2020 World Group I Play-offs | RPO
|
7-Mar-2020 | Grass | Aqeel Khan | 6–0, 6–7(6–8), 4–6 | Lose |
Doubles performances (5–4)
editReferences
edit- ^ ATP Profile
- ^ "Tomas Berdych destroys Blaz Kavcic; moves into the semi-finals – SkiStar Swedish Open 2011". blogs.bettor.com. 7 January 2011. Archived from the original on 17 July 2011.
- ^ "Tomas Result: David Ferrer races past Blaž Kavčič". sportsmole.co.uk. 31 July 2012.
- ^ "Blaž Rola Wins ATP Challenger Split Open Title!". Archived from the original on 16 October 2022. Retrieved 26 July 2022.
- ^ @Markohrastar (23 April 2022). "(THREAD) 🧵Blaž Kavčič gave a long interview pending his retirement in September, so I decided to share some answer…" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "Konec je kariere enega najbolj prepoznavnih obrazov slovenskega tenisa".
- ^ "Former Slovenian tennis player Blaž Kavčič recalls the time he beat Roger Federer in practice, says the Swiss demanded an immediate rematch".