The 'Beast of Belarus' is the nickname of Belarus' top male tennis player Max Mirnyi. Born on July 6, 1977 in Minsk, the capital of Belarus, the six-feet-five-inch-tall Mirnyi, who weighs about 200 pounds, turned professional about a decade ago. The right-handed Mirnyi currently lives in the Brandenton, Florida in the United States and trains under Dave Hogarth.
His nickname, 'the Beast of Belarus', was given to him by his fellow professional tennis players on the ATP Tour, but is ironic because he comes across as an affable 29-year-old and is anything but beastly, except for his height. He is a rather quiet, soft-spoken gentleman.
About three years ago, Mirnyi, who is also known in tennis circles as the 'Iron Man', was one half of the top-ranked doubles team in the world. A former product of acclaimed tennis guru Nick Bollettieri's academy in Florida, Mirnyi has played doubles with such veterans as Kevin Ullyett, Jonas Bjorkman and India's Mahesh Bhupathi, and has represented his country in the Davis Cup tournament for about 12 years.
Mirnyi is married, and he and his wife Xenia have a daughter named Melanie.
His nickname, 'the Beast of Belarus', was given to him by his fellow professional tennis players on the ATP Tour, but is ironic because he comes across as an affable 29-year-old and is anything but beastly, except for his height. He is a rather quiet, soft-spoken gentleman.
About three years ago, Mirnyi, who is also known in tennis circles as the 'Iron Man', was one half of the top-ranked doubles team in the world. A former product of acclaimed tennis guru Nick Bollettieri's academy in Florida, Mirnyi has played doubles with such veterans as Kevin Ullyett, Jonas Bjorkman and India's Mahesh Bhupathi, and has represented his country in the Davis Cup tournament for about 12 years.
Mirnyi is married, and he and his wife Xenia have a daughter named Melanie.
