Kafelnikov Reaches ATP Summit Through Unlikely Path of First-Round Defeats
Yevgeny Kafelnikov rose to the ATP world number one spot in 1999 despite a streak of six first‑round defeats across various tournaments, including Indian Wells, Miami, and Monte Carlo. His brief reign lasted only six weeks, making it one of the shortest in ATP history. The article contrasts his unusual path to the top with the performances of contemporaries such as Pete Sampras.