Karen Khachanov is one of the most prominent names in world tennis, a Russian athlete who combines impressive physical strength with unwavering determination. Born in Moscow, he has become a symbol of perseverance on the professional circuit, winning major titles and representing his country in elite competitions. Standing at 1.98 meters tall, Khachanov impresses not only with the power in his shots but also with his elegance on the court. This article dives into the journey of this tennis player, from his first steps to his most recent performances in October 2025, when he continues to compete at the highest level.
Early Life and First Steps
Karen Abgarovich Khachanov was born on May 21, 1996, in the vibrant city of Moscow, the capital of Russia. The son of Abgar Khachanov, an Armenian born in Yerevan who played volleyball before graduating in medicine, and Nataliya, a Russian also trained in the medical field, Karen grew up in a family environment that valued discipline and effort. His maternal grandfather had Armenian roots, which reinforces the family’s ethnic connections. Karen has a sister and a brother, and from an early age, he showed a voracious interest in sports.
At the age of three, he started playing with a tennis racket in a kindergarten program. What seemed like childish fun soon turned into a passion. His idols were Marat Safin, the legendary Russian tennis player, and Juan Martín del Potro, the Argentine known for his power. Off the courts, Karen fervently cheered for Real Madrid in soccer and the Miami Heat in basketball. At 12 years old, he made the decision that would change his life: to become a professional tennis player.
The family supported the dream, but the path was not easy. At 15, Karen moved to Split, Croatia, to train under the guidance of Vedran Martić, the former coach of Goran Ivanišević. Later, he transferred to Barcelona, Spain, where he worked with Galo Blanco. These early changes shaped his resilient character. Far from home, he learned to deal with loneliness and pressure, lessons that would help him in the years to come. In interviews, Khachanov often says that his Armenian and Russian roots make him a “warrior” on the court, always fighting to the end.
Junior Career
Karen Khachanov’s junior phase was marked by achievements that heralded a bright future. He began competing in local tournaments in Russia, but soon the international scene caught his attention. In 2012, at 16 years old, he won the junior Roland Garros tournament, one of the four Grand Slams. This victory in Paris, against the Frenchman Jong Woo Lee, was a milestone: Khachanov became the first Russian to lift the junior trophy on the French clay since Marat Safin in 1998.
The following year, in 2013, he continued his strong momentum. He reached the US Open junior final, losing to the future star Borna Ćorić. These performances put him on the ATP scouts’ radar. Khachanov accumulated points in the junior ranking and trained intensely, focusing on improving his consistency. His coaches noted his exceptional height—already over 1.90 meters in his teens—and encouraged the development of an aggressive game based on powerful serves and heavy forehands.
During this time, Karen traveled the world, competing in Europe, Asia, and the Americas. He learned to adapt to different surfaces and climates, a crucial skill for a professional. In 2014, he ended his junior career with a world ranking of number 3, paving the way for the main circuit. These years were formative not only technically but emotionally: Khachanov learned to manage defeats and celebrate victories with humility.
Professional Debut and Rise
Karen Khachanov turned professional in 2013, at 17 years old, but his real rise came in 2015. He started in Challengers and Futures, smaller tournaments that serve as stepping stones to the elite. His first ATP win came in 2016, at the Chengdu tournament in China, where he reached the semifinals. This result propelled him into the top 100 of the world ranking for the first time.
In 2017, Khachanov exploded onto the scene. He won his first ATP title in Winston-Salem, United States, defeating the American Ryan Harrison in the final. It was a moment of euphoria: at 21 years old, he was establishing himself as an emerging force. By the end of the year, he reached the semifinals of the ATP Finals, competing against the best in the world. His counter-attacking game, combined with solid defense, surprised more experienced opponents.
The year 2018 was the turning point. Khachanov won the Paris Masters, a Masters 1000 tournament, the second-highest level on the circuit. In the final, he overcame none other than Novak Djokovic, the multi-champion Serbian, in straight sets: 7-5, 6-4. It was the first time a Russian had won a Masters 1000 since 2011. This achievement propelled him into the top 20 and solidified his reputation as a fierce competitor on indoor hard courts.
From then on, his career gained momentum. In 2019, he reached his career-high ranking of world number 8 and won more titles, such as the ATP 500 in Sosnowiec. Khachanov became a pillar of the Russian Davis Cup team, helping the country qualify for the finals. His consistency in major tournaments turned him into a respected name, capable of challenging giants like Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic.
Major Achievements
Grand Slam and Masters Titles
Karen Khachanov’s achievements on the ATP circuit are impressive. Throughout his career, he has accumulated seven singles titles, including the epic 2018 Paris Masters. In Grand Slams, he has never won, but he has come close. At the 2023 Australian Open, he reached the semifinals, losing to Novak Djokovic in a five-set battle. At the 2022 US Open, he was also a semifinalist, falling to Casper Ruud.
In 2024, Khachanov shone again with victories at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open, where he defeated the young Jakub Menšík in the final, and at the Almaty Open, overcoming Gabriel Diallo. These titles reinforced his versatility in different conditions. In Masters events, besides Paris, he has semifinals in others, such as Indian Wells. His head-to-head records against top players show balance: he has wins over Djokovic, Federer, and Medvedev.
Olympics and Davis Cup
Beyond individual tournaments, Khachanov shines in team competitions. At the Tokyo 2020 Olympics (held in 2021 due to the pandemic), he won silver in men’s singles. In the final, he lost to Alexander Zverev in a tense match, but his campaign included wins over Pablo Carreño Busta and Lloyd Harris. Representing Russia—under a neutral flag due to sanctions—was a personal pride.
In the Davis Cup, the highlight came in 2021, when the Russian team, with Khachanov alongside Rublev and Medvedev, won the tournament in Madrid. He played decisive doubles and crucial singles, contributing to the collective title. In doubles, Khachanov has one ATP title: the 2023 Madrid Open, alongside Andrey Rublev. His doubles ranking reached 53 in the world in January 2024.
These team achievements highlight his leadership spirit and camaraderie, qualities rare in an individual sport like tennis.
Playing Style
Karen Khachanov is a modern tennis player, right-handed with a two-handed backhand, whose height of 1.98 meters gives him unique advantages. His serve is a lethal weapon: with an average speed of 200 km/h, he generates difficult angles and frequent aces. On the forehand, he unleashes a heavy shot with topspin that pushes the opponent back.
Defensively, Khachanov is solid, covering the court with long strides and precise volleys at the net. He prefers fast surfaces like hard and grass, where his power stands out, but he adapts well to clay, as seen at Roland Garros. His coaches, such as Vedran Martić and José Clavet, have helped refine his mental game: he is known for never giving up, even when behind.
Compared to idols like Safin, Khachanov has more consistency but shares the emotional intensity. On the court, he is calm but explodes in authentic celebrations after decisive points.
Personal Life
Off the courts, Karen Khachanov leads a balanced family life. In April 2016, he married Veronika Shkliaeva, whom he had been dating since 2011. The couple has two children: the first born in 2019, and the second in 2023. Veronika is the twin sister of Ilya Ivashka, another tennis player, which creates strong ties on the circuit. The family travels with him to tournaments, and Khachanov credits them for his motivation.
Politically sensitive, in March 2022, during the Russian invasion of Ukraine, he removed the Russian flag from his Instagram, a symbolic gesture. His Armenian roots lead him to support humanitarian causes: in 2023, at the Australian Open, he displayed messages for peace in Nagorno-Karabakh. In 2024, he organized a charity exhibition in Los Angeles, raising $100,000 for Artsakh refugees.
Khachanov is sponsored by brands like Nike (clothing and shoes), Wilson (rackets), Lavazza, Armani, and Rolex. His current coach, Evgeny Donskoy, is a compatriot who helps him maintain focus. In interviews, he speaks of values like gratitude and hard work, inspiring young athletes.
Recent Performance (2024-2025)
The years 2024 and 2025 have been up and down for Karen Khachanov, but with brilliant moments that reaffirm his potential. In 2024, he started strong with the title at the Qatar ExxonMobil Open in Doha, where he overcame Menšík in a contested final. Then, he reached the final of the Erste Bank Open in Vienna but lost to Jack Draper. At the Almaty Open in Kazakhstan, he won his seventh ATP title, defeating Diallo with authority.
In the 2024 Grand Slam calendar, he advanced to the round of 16 at Roland Garros and Wimbledon, showing consistency. His ranking climbed consistently into the top 15. In doubles, he continued playing sporadically with Rublev but focused on singles.
Entering 2025, Khachanov faced initial challenges, with minor injuries and a string of losses. At the Australian Open, he stopped in the round of 16. But the year turned in June at Wimbledon: he reached the quarterfinals for the first time on the London grass, defeating Shintaro Mochizuki, Nuno Borges, and Kamil Majchrzak, before falling to Taylor Fritz in an exhausting five-set match.
The highlight of 2025 came at the National Bank Open in Toronto in August. Khachanov reached the final after impressive wins over Casper Ruud, Alex Michelsen, and Alexander Zverev—the latter an epic comeback. In the final, he lost to Ben Shelton, but the tournament catapulted him back into the top 10, reaching number 13 in October.
October 2025 brought more action. After a streak of five consecutive losses, including the second round of the US Open, Khachanov started strong at the Rolex Paris Masters. On October 28, he demolished Ethan Quinn, conceding just two games in a 6-1, 6-1 victory. This performance reignited his confidence, especially with the tournament’s changes: the move to La Défense Arena brought more luxury and organization, as he commented alongside Daniil Medvedev.
On October 29, Khachanov faces the young Joao Fonseca in the second round in Paris. With a record of 31 wins and 23 losses on the year, he aims to advance and perhaps repeat his 2018 title. His current ranking, number 13, reflects resilience: at 29 years old, he is at his physical and mental peak.
Future Prospects
At 29 years old, Karen Khachanov has years ahead on the circuit. His immediate goal is a Grand Slam title, something that has eluded him for a long time, but his semifinals show he is close. For 2026, he is targeting the Los Angeles Olympics, where he could seek the gold that escaped him in Tokyo. With the Davis Cup always on the horizon, Khachanov plans to balance singles and doubles.
Injuries are a risk for a tall player like him, but his medical and conditioning team keeps him in shape. Khachanov dreams of inspiring the new Russian generation, like Medvedev and Rublev, and perhaps coaching young players in the future. His message is clear: tennis is about passion and persistence.
Conclusion
Karen Khachanov is more than a tennis player: he is an ambassador of values like resilience and solidarity. From Moscow to the courts of Paris, his journey inspires millions. With recent performances like those in 2025 at Wimbledon and Toronto, and the momentum in Paris now in October, he proves that the best is yet to come. May more victories come for this gentle giant of tennis.
