As a 7-year-old in suburban Washington, D.C., Denis Kudla tried to run away from home.
His heart wasn't in it, but his parents seized on the opportunity to redirect Kudla's youthful energy into something constructive. They picked tennis, and 15 years later Kudla is the last American man standing at Wimbledon.
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An Arlington, Va., resident ranked 105th in the world, Kudla faces reigning U.S. Open champion Marin Cilic on Monday in the round of 16. Cilic knocked off top-ranked American John Isner with a 12-10 fifth-set triumph to advance, and sits at No. 9 in the world.
It's a daunting challenge for Kudla, but he has had quite a summer on grass.
Kudla reached the finals of consecutive Challenger-level events in the run-up to Wimbledon, losing to Australia's Matthew Ebden in a third-set tiebreaker in Surbiton and bouncing back to beat Ebden in straight sets at Ilkley before heading to the All England Club.
Playing in the main draw at Wimbledon for the third time, Kudla has surpassed his career win total there by winning three matches — including a pair of five-setters — to set up his fourth-round meeting with Cilic.
"Confidence is definitely through the roof," Kudla told media members Friday after beating Santiago Giraldo. "I almost had a perfect grass court season. Final of a challenger, I won a challenger coming in. Now pretty much my best Grand Slam result, and I couldn't be any happier right now. Riding the wave and hopefully I can push it further, for sure."
Kudla was born in Kiev, Ukraine, and his family moved to Virginia when he was a year old. He took to tennis naturally after being thrust into it by his family.
"My dad kind of made me do it just to keep me out of trouble," Kudla said. "Then some people said, 'Oh, he's actually pretty good.'"
Kudla spent a decade training at the Junior Tennis Champions Center in College Park, Md., and toiled on the ATP Tour's lower levels the past few years with USTA coaches. He recently signed on with Tampa-based coach Billy Heiser and saw immediate dividends.
Though he is 5-11, 165 pounds — a gnat compared to the big-serving types who tend to excel on grass — Kudla loves playing on the green stuff.
"On grass, movement is huge," he said. "I feel like the better returner will be the better server. And for the most part, I think that kind of really fits into my game. I feel like I'm a very good returner. I feel like I can move really well. That's where grass complements my game, for sure."
Kudla's work at Wimbledon has ensured a return to the top 100 in the rankings next week — a place he hasn't been since October 2013 when he reached a career-best No. 90 in the world.
"I have been around 100 to 120 for a long time," Kudla said. "I needed a breakthrough or a bit of luck or get a big win somewhere."
He has had both at Wimbledon, rallying from two sets down to win his opener against Pablo Cuevas, and from a 2-1 deficit against Santiago Giraldo in the third round. He also benefited when fifth-seeded Kei Nishikori — his would-be opponent in the third round — pulled out because of a calf injury.
Finding a way to get past Cilic and into the quarterfinals is a different proposition, but Kudla hopes to continue riding that wave.
