Ivan Gakhov, a rising Russian tennis player, has carved a niche for himself on the ATP Challenger Tour while steadily making waves in ATP main draws. Known for his clay-court prowess and left-handed agility, Gakhov’s journey from Futures tournaments to facing Novak Djokovic at the 2023 Monte-Carlo Masters highlights his grit.
Let’s dive into his personal life, career milestones, and financial standing.
Ivan Gakhov’s Biography
| Category | Details |
| Full Name | Ivan Andreevich Gakhov |
| Nickname | Not publicly known |
| Born | November 4, 1996 (Age 28 in 2025) |
| Nationality | Russian |
| Height | 6’3” (191 cm) |
| Weight | 182 lbs (83 kg) |
| Turned Pro | 2014 (First Futures title) |
| Net Worth | Estimated $500,000–$700,000 (prize money + endorsements) |
| Relationship Status | Dating (girlfriend mentioned in social media posts) |
Ivan Gakhov was born in Moscow, Russia, and grew up honing his skills on clay courts. Despite limited sponsorships early in his career, he has built a reputation as a resilient competitor. Off the court, he maintains a low profile, focusing on his game and close relationships.
Early Career
Ivan Gakhov’s early career was a testament to perseverance in the face of limited resources and intense competition. Born in Moscow, he picked up a racket at a young age, drawn to the clay courts that dominate Russian tennis infrastructure.
Turning pro in 2014 at 17, he entered the grueling ITF Futures circuit, where prize money rarely covers travel costs, and victories are hard-fought. His first breakthrough came at a Futures tournament in Shymkent, Kazakhstan, later that year, where he battled through qualifying rounds to claim his maiden singles title. This win, though small in scale, validated his decision to pursue tennis full-time.
Over the next two years, Gakhov became a staple at Futures events across Eastern Europe and Asia, often playing three consecutive weeks in countries like Turkey, Uzbekistan, and Egypt. His game—a left-handed mix of heavy topspin forehands and patient baseline rallies—excelled on clay, but inconsistent results plagued him. Financial pressures forced him to travel with a single coach shared among Russian players, sleep in budget hostels, and reuse worn-out shoes.
By 2016, however, his persistence paid off: he won back-to-back Futures titles in Antalya, Turkey, and Fergana, Uzbekistan, climbing into the ITF Top 500. These victories, though overshadowed by the glitz of the ATP Tour, honed his mental toughness.
During matches, he often relied on a tactical serve-and-volley surprise, a rarity among clay specialists. Yet, the lack of sponsorships meant his team often strung rackets manually and recycled tennis balls during practice.
By 2018, Gakhov began dipping his toes into ATP Challenger tournaments, though early exits kept him anchored to the Futures level. This phase of his career, marked by gritty wins and financial improvisation, laid the groundwork for his eventual Challenger Tour rise.
Professional Career
Ivan Gakhov’s professional career took a decisive turn in 2023 after years of grinding on the Challenger circuit. Ranked No. 315 entering the season, he secured his maiden ATP Challenger singles title in Girona, Spain, defeating Gastão Elias in a grueling three-set final.
This victory propelled him into the qualifying rounds of the 2023 Monte-Carlo Masters, where he stunned second seed Adrian Mannarino and rising star Luca Van Assche to earn a main-draw spot.
In his ATP Tour debut at the event, he toppled Mackenzie McDonald in three sets for his first tour-level win, a milestone that catapulted him 35 ranking spots to No. 165. His reward? A center-court clash against Novak Djokovic, where he pushed the 22-time Grand Slam champion to a first-set tiebreak before falling 7-6(5), 6-2—a match where he famously borrowed Djokovic’s ASICS shoes mid-tournament.
By mid-2023, Gakhov peaked at a career-high No. 142, but injuries and funding limitations hampered consistency. In 2024, he clawed back with a Challenger title in Troisdorf, Germany, and a runner-up finish in Dobrich, Bulgaria, showcasing his clay-court resilience. While he struggled to sustain momentum in ATP 250 events, his Challenger Tour dominance kept him ranked inside the top 250.
As of 2025, the 28-year-old remains a Challenger stalwart, frequently entering ATP qualifiers and refining his left-handed baseline game—heavy on topspin forehands and drop shots—to compensate for limited hard-court agility. With just four ATP-level match wins to date, his underdog narrative persists, defined by sporadic flashes of brilliance against elite competition.
Ivan Gakhov’s Net Worth Details
Ivan Gakhov’s net worth is estimated to be $500,000–$700,000 as of 2025.
Career Earnings
| Year | Earnings |
| 2025 | $6,737* |
| 2024 | $74,484 |
| 2023 | $118,237 |
| 2022 | $28,000 (approx.) |
| 2021 | $15,000 (approx.) |
| Total | $451,367 |
Endorsements
Ivan Gakhov’s endorsement portfolio remains modest compared to top-tier players. In 2023, fellow Russian Andrey Rublev provided him with unused Nike apparel to alleviate his lack of sponsorships.
During his breakthrough Monte-Carlo Masters run that year, Gakhov even borrowed Novak Djokovic’s ASICS shoes mid-tournament—a moment that went viral.
His current partnerships include small deals with regional Russian sports brands, focusing on footwear and training gear, but no long-term contracts with global companies.
Career Stats
| Category | Stats |
| Career-High Singles Rank | No. 142 (June 2023) |
| ATP Singles Titles | 0 |
| Challenger Titles | 2 Singles (Girona 2023, Troisdorf 2024) |
| Challenger Doubles Titles | 1 (2023) |
| ATP Tour Win-Loss | 4–6 (as of February 2025) |
| Challenger Win-Loss | 96–82 (as of February 2025) |
| Preferred Surface | Clay |
| Playing Style | Left-handed baseliner, heavy topspin |
FAQs
1. What is Ivan Gakhov’s highest ATP singles ranking and career milestone?
Gakhov reached a career-high ATP singles ranking of No. 142 in June 2023. This milestone capped his run of strong results on the Challenger Tour and ATP main draw breakthroughs.
2. How many ATP and Challenger titles has Gakhov won?
He has not won an ATP Tour-level singles title but has secured two ATP Challenger singles titles and one Challenger doubles title, along with numerous ITF Futures and M25 trophies.
3. When did Gakhov make his ATP main draw debut, and how did he perform?
His ATP singles main draw debut came as a lucky loser at the 2022 Generali Open Kitzbühel. He lost to Yannick Hanfmann but gained experience against high-level competition.
4. What are some of Gakhov’s notable wins at ATP or Masters events?
He claimed a standout Masters 1000 win over Mackenzie McDonald at the 2023 Monte-Carlo Masters before falling in a competitive match to Novak Djokovic in the second round.
5. What is Gakhov’s playing style and what surfaces suit him best?
Gakhov is a left-handed baseliner with a two-handed backhand and a preference for clay courts. He relies on tactical patience, consistent groundstrokes, and a strong serve.
6. Where has Gakhov trained and who are his coaches?
He moved to Spain as a teenager, training in Gandia and Barcelona. His current coaching team includes Miguel Sánchez and Salvador Navarro, who have experience with elite pros.
7. When did Gakhov turn professional and what inspired him?
He turned pro in 2014 after successful junior and ITF circuit results in Europe. Gakhov credits Marat Safin’s 2005 Australian Open win as the inspiration that sparked his early tennis dreams.
8. What personal trademarks or anecdotes are associated with Gakhov?
Gakhov has a serotonin molecule tattoo symbolizing happiness and enjoys fantasy football. He is known for celebrating milestones with pizza and has been mentored by top Russians like Andrey Rublev.
9. What is Gakhov’s record in Grand Slam and major qualifying events?
He has yet to post a main draw Grand Slam win but has qualified for multiple ATP 250 and 500 level tournaments and Masters events, steadily improving his ranking through lower-tier wins.
10. What are Gakhov’s goals and outlook and beyond?
He continues competing on the Challenger and ATP tours, focusing on breaking into the Grand Slam main draw and building a consistent top 150 ranking, aiming for further ATP main draw victories.
