Alex Kuznetsov Recovering from Injuries Sustained in Auto Accident

©Colette Lewis 2005--

Promising American junior Alex Kuznetsov was injured in a one-car accident on Sunday at Saddlebrook Tennis Resort near Tampa.

Kuznetsov, 18, was alone in the rented Mustang when he lost control of the vehicle and hit a tree.


Kuznetsov was admitted to a Tampa hospital and underwent surgery after several other tennis players witnessed the accident and dialed 911.

"He broke his right femur," said Ben Crandell of IMG, the agency that signed Kuznetsov to a professional contract last year. "A titanium rod was inserted and he will be released from the hospital today."

Kuznetsov had just reached the semifinals of a Futures event in Tampa, and his ATP ranking is now 400. The Richboro Pennsylvania native, who was born in the Ukraine, is still eligible for junior events, although he has not played one since last year's U.S. Open, concentrating instead on the USTA Pro Circuit tournaments.

He is not expected to return to a tennis court for three or four months and it could be eight to twelve months before he is able to play competively.

Crandell described the surgeon as optmistic, noting that Kuznetsov suffered no other injuries to his ankles or knees.

"When I visited him, he was in good spirits," said Crandell. "His parents have come down to help him with his recovery."