Mikael Ymer

Ymer was born in Skara, Sweden to Ethiopian immigrant parents. He is the younger brother of fellow tennis player Elias Ymer.{{cite news |title=Mikael Ymer: 'It Doesn't Matter Where You Come From' |url=https://www.atptour.com/en/news/ymer-uncovered-feature-july-2020 |access-date=3 July 2021 |work=ATP Tour | date=21 July 2020}} His other younger brother, Rafael, is a tennis player on the juniors' circuit.{{Cite web |title=Rafael Ymer Juniors Singles Overview |url=https://www.itftennis.com/en/players/rafael-ymer/800585865/swe/jt/s/overview/ |access-date=2023-01-19 |website=www.itftennis.com}}

Mikael contested his first junior major final at the 2015 Wimbledon Championships but was defeated by American Reilly Opelka in straight sets.{{cite web |title=Ymer makes most of Wimbledon reprieve |url=http://www.wimbledon.com/en_GB/news/articles/2015-07-11/ymer_makes_most_of_wimbledon_reprieve.html |access-date=12 July 2015}}

In 2015 Ymer managed to claim his second European Championships title (U18), beating Bernabé Zapata Miralles in the final in straight sets.

He made his Masters 1000 debut at the 2017 Miami Open as a wildcard and won his first match at this level in the 2018 edition of the same tournament after also receiving a wildcard.

He made his Grand Slam main draw debut through qualifying at the 2019 French Open where he recorded his first Major win against fellow qualifier Blaž Rola in straight sets.

He finished year 2019 ranked No. 74 in the singles rankings.

He made his debut at the 2020 Australian Open and defeated Yasutaka Uchiyama in the first round. He reached a new career-high ranking of No. 67 on 2 March 2020.

Ymer reached the third round of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time in his career at the 2021 Australian Open. He did so by defeating 26th seed Hubert Hurkacz and qualifier Carlos Alcaraz, before losing to fifth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas.{{Cite web |url=https://ausopen.com/players/sweden/mikael-ymer#!matches |title=Mikael Ymer [SWE] | Australian Open}} At the 2021 Miami Open he reached also the third round for the first time at a Masters 1000 defeating 27th seed Nikoloz Basilashvili.

As world No. 105 at the 2021 French Open, Ymer achieved the biggest win of his career by defeating world No. 15 Gaël Monfils in the second round.{{Cite web |url=https://www.essentiallysports.com/gael-monfils-fails-to-win-consecutive-matches-for-the-past-16-months-shattered-by-world-no-105-michael-ymer-at-french-open-2021-r2-atp-tennis-news/ |title=Monfils Fails to Win Consecutive Matches Again, Shattered by World No.105 Ymer at French Open |date=3 June 2021}} With this victory, he once again reached the third round of a major, this time losing to Jannik Sinner.{{Cite web |url=https://www.atptour.com/en/news/sinner-ymer-roland-garros-2021-friday |title=Jannik Sinner Shines, Sets Rafael Nadal Rematch at Roland Garros|website=ATP Tour}}

At the 2021 Winston-Salem Open, Ymer beat eleventh seed Albert Ramos Viñolas, lucky loser Max Purcell, and thirteenth seed Frances Tiafoe to reach his first ATP semi-final.{{Cite web |url=https://apnews.com/article/sports-tennis-us-open-tennis-championships-winston-salem-36e3b51a216b02e05d6f75949ef77779 |title=Ivashka, Ruusuvuori, Ymer advance in Winston-Salem Open |website=Associated Press | date=27 August 2021}} He continued with a win over fifteenth seed Carlos Alcaraz to reach his first ATP final, making him the first Swedish tour-level finalist since Robin Söderling at the 2011 Swedish Open.{{Cite web |url=https://www.atptour.com/en/news/ymer-alcaraz-winston-salem-2021 |title=Mikael Ymer Beats Carlos Alcaraz to Reach Winston-Salem Final|website=ATP Tour}} Ymer lost the final to Ilya Ivashka in straight sets in 56 minutes.{{Cite web |url=https://www.atptour.com/en/news/ivashka-ymer-winston-salem-2021-final-saturday |title=Ilya Ivashka Clinches First Title in Winston-Salem|website=ATP Tour}}

In August, Ymer played at the 2021 US Open, losing to Jenson Brooksby in the first round.{{Cite web |url=https://lastwordonsports.com/tennis/2021/09/05/jenson-brooksby-breakthrough-season-us-open/ |title=Jenson Brooksby Continues Breakthrough at US Open |date=5 September 2021}}

He finished year 2021 ranked No. 93 in the singles rankings.

Ymer was not able to defend his third round showing at the 2022 Australian Open, losing to Stefanos Tsitsipas in the opening round.

In February, at the 2022 Open Sud de France, Ymer reached the semi-finals, defeating three French players Corentin Moutet, third seed Gaël Monfils (his second top-20 win) and Richard Gasquet.{{Cite web |url=https://www.tennis-tourtalk.com/85077/memorable-day-and-night-for-ymer-brothers-on-separate-continents |title=Memorable Day and Night for Ymer Brothers on Separate Continents |date=4 February 2022}}{{cite web |url=https://www.atptour.com/en/news/ymer-brothers-montpellier-pune-2022-feature |title=Ymer Brothers Tasting Success on Tour|website=ATP Tour}}

At the 2022 French Open he reached the third round at this Major for the second consecutive time in his career defeating James Duckworth and 29th seed Dan Evans{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/may/26/iga-swiatek-carves-her-way-through-draw-as-french-open-rivals-falter |title=Simona Halep suffers panic attack during French Open defeat |website=TheGuardian.com | date=26 May 2022}} before losing to 4th seed Stefanos Tsitsipas.

File:Mikael Ymer, Citi Open, Aug 3, 2022.jpg

At 2022 Wimbledon Championships he reached the second round defeating Daniel Altmaier.

At the 2022 Citi Open he defeated Andy Murray{{cite web |url=https://www.atptour.com/en/news/murray-ymer-washington-2022-monday |title=Mikael Ymer Battles Past Andy Murray in Washington|website=ATP Tour}} and 15th seed Aslan Karatsev to reach the round of 16. Next he defeated Emil Ruusuvuori to reach the quarterfinals of an ATP 500 tournament for the first time. In the quarterfinals, he defeated Sebastian Korda in three sets to advance to his first ATP 500 semi-final in his career. As a result, he moved close to 40 positions up the rankings back into the top 80 to No. 77 on 8 August 2022.

At the 2022 Winston-Salem Open, Ymer received a wildcard but lost in the second to qualifier Marc-Andrea Huesler. As a result, his ranking fell to No. 99 on 29 August 2022. At the US Open he lost in the first round.

At the 2022 Firenze Open he reached the semi-finals as a qualifier defeating again fifth seed Aslan Karatsev{{cite web |url=https://www.atptour.com/en/news/berrettini-carballes-baena-florence-2022-wednesday |title=Roberto Carballés Baena Stuns Matteo Berrettini in Florence|website=ATP Tour}} and Roberto Carballés Baena but lost to JJ Wolf.{{cite web |url=https://www.atptour.com/en/news/wolf-felix-musetti-florence-2022-saturday |title=JJ Wolf Powers into Florence Final|website=ATP Tour}} As a result, he moved 20 positions up in the rankings back into the top 80 on 17 October 2022.

At his home tournament in Stockholm using a special exempt status, he reached the quarterfinals where he lost to top seed Stefanos Tsitsipas.{{cite web |url=https://www.atptour.com/en/news/tsitsipas-ymer-stockholm-2022-friday |title=Tsitsipas Emerges Unscathed in Dramatic Stockholm QF|website=ATP Tour}} As a result, he moved up to No. 76 on 24 October 2022.

He continued his good form qualifying for the main draw of the 2022 Rolex Paris Masters for the second year in a row. He won his first round match defeating Alexander Bublik. He lost to world No. 8 Félix Auger-Aliassime in a three tight set match with two tiebreaks that lasted 3 hours and 30 minutes.{{cite web |url=https://www.atptour.com/en/news/auger-aliassime-ymer-paris-2022-wednesday |title=Félix Auger-Aliassime Takes Paris Epic for 14th Win in a Row|website=ATP Tour}}

Ymer started his 2023 season in Adelaide. At the first tournament, he lost in the first round to qualifier Roman Safiullin.{{cite news |title=Adelaide International 1: Khachanov moves into second round |url=https://www.tennismajors.com/atp/adelaide-international-1-khachanov-moves-into-second-round-651200.html |access-date=8 July 2023 |date=3 January 2023}} Getting past qualifying at the second tournament, he reached the quarterfinals where he was defeated by eventual champion, Kwon Soon-woo.{{cite news |last1=BULLEY |first1=JIM |last2=JEONG-WON |first2=LIM |title=Kwon Soon-woo beats Mikael Ymer to reach Adelaide International 2 semifinals |url=https://koreajoongangdaily.joins.com/2023/01/12/sports/more/Kwon-Soonwoo-Adelaide-International-2-Mikael-Ymer/20230112142843969.html |access-date=8 July 2023 |date=12 January 2023}} He lost in the first round of the Australian Open to 31st seed Yoshihito Nishioka.{{cite news |title=Japan's Yoshihito Nishioka beats Mikael Ymer to advance in Australian Open |url=https://www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2023/01/16/tennis/yoshihito-nishioka-advances-australian-open/ |access-date=8 July 2023 |date=16 January 2023}}

Making it past qualifying at the first edition of the BW Open, Ymer made it to the final where he lost to top seed David Goffin.{{cite news |title=David Goffin dominates Mikael Ymer and wins the Louvain-la-Neuve BW Open |url=https://www.lesoir.be/491864/article/2023-01-29/david-goffin-domine-mikael-ymer-et-remporte-le-bw-open-de-louvain-la-neuve |access-date=8 July 2023 |date=29 January 2023}} As a result, he reached the top 60 in the rankings on 30 January 2023. Representing Sweden in the Davis Cup tie against Bosnia and Herzegovina, he won both of his matches beating Mirza Bašić and Damir Džumhur.{{cite news |title=INSPIRED YMER BROTHERS GIVE SWEDEN PERFECT START |url=https://www.daviscup.com/en/news/328964.aspx |access-date=8 July 2023 |publisher=www.daviscup.com |date=3 February 2023}}{{cite news |title=U.S. sweeps Uzbekistan, advances to group stage in Davis Cup |url=https://www.espn.com/tennis/story/_/id/35588021/us-sweeps-uzbekistan-advances-group-stage-davis-cup |access-date=8 July 2023 |work=www.espn.com |date=4 February 2023}} Sweden ended up winning the tie over Bosnia and Herzegovina 3–1 to advance to the Davis Cup Finals.{{cite news |title=YMERS DELIVER ALL THREE POINTS TO SEE SWEDEN THROUGH TO THE FINALS |url=https://www.daviscup.com/en/news/329169.aspx |access-date=8 July 2023 |publisher=www.daviscup.com |date=4 February 2023}} At the Open Sud de France, he lost in the first round to seventh seed Emil Ruusuvuori.{{cite news |title=#NextGenATP Fils Flies Past Bautista Agut In Montpellier |url=https://www.atptour.com/en/news/bautista-agut-fils-montpellier-2023-wednesday |access-date=8 July 2023 |publisher=www.atptour.com |date=8 February 2023}} At the Rotterdam Open he qualified again for the main draw but lost to wildcard Tallon Griekspoor. At the 2023 Open 13 Provence he reached the quarterfinals after a walkover from sixth seed David Goffin in the second round. He lost to top seed and eventual champion Hubert Hurkacz. He reached a new career high of world No. 51 on 10 April 2023 and the top 50 a week later.

Ymer was disqualified from his match at the 2023 ATP Lyon Open against Arthur Fils after smashing a racquet against the umpire's chair.{{Cite news|title=Ymer disqualified in Lyon after destroying umpire's chair|url=https://tennis-infinity.com/atp/watch-ymer-disqualified-in-lyon-after-destroying-umpires-chair|date=2023-05-24|access-date=2023-05-25|website=Tennis Infinity|first=Kadir|last=Macar}}

He reached the quarterfinals at the 2023 Eastbourne International. At the 2023 Wimbledon Championships he reached the third round for the first time at this Major defeating world No. 9 Taylor Fritz in five sets after being two sets to love down.

In July 2023, the CAS issued an 18-month competition ban to Ymer for an anti-doping rule violation relating to three missed tests in a twelve month period ("whereabouts failures").{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/tennis/66232686 |title=Mikael Ymer says 'conscience is clear' after ban for anti-doping violation |work=BBC Sport |date=18 July 2023}} CAS overturned an earlier ruling by an independent tribunal that had found Ymer not negligent.{{Cite web |date=2023-09-01 |title=Ymer reported to have lied to CAS about reasons for missing doping tests |url=https://tennisuptodate.com/tennis-news/ymer-reported-to-have-lied-to-cas-about-reasons-for-missing-doping-tests |access-date=2023-10-04 |website=Tennisuptodate.com }}

Although Ymer announced in August 2023 that he had decided to retire from tennis,{{cite news |url=https://apnews.com/article/mikael-ymer-retires-atp-antidoping-violation-4cce4edd4dfb91adf05ec1fd0c3f7ab1 |title=Mikael Ymer announces his abrupt retirement from tennis after failing to overturn doping ban |work=AP |date=26 August 2023 }} he reversed his decision in April 2024 and returned to competition at the end of his period of ineligibilty in January 2025 winning an ITF tournament in Luxembourg.{{cite news |url=https://www.tennis.com/baseline/articles/mikael-ymer-changes-his-mind-on-return-to-tennis-amid-anti-doping-ban-retirement-was-boring |title=Mikael Ymer changes his mind on return to tennis amid anti-doping ban: "Retirement was boring" |work=Tennis.com |date=15 April 2024 |first=Stephanie |last=Livaudais}}{{cite news |url=https://swedenherald.com/article/the-swedes-success-won-comeback-in-luxembourg |title=The Swede's success – won comeback in Luxembourg |work=Swedish Herald |date=26 January 2025}}

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Ymer's record against those who have been ranked in the top 10, with active players in boldface.

• He has a {{tennis record|won=1|lost=10}} record against players who were, at the time the match was played, ranked in the top 10.

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Category:1998 births

Category:Living people

Category:Swedish male tennis players

Category:Tennis players from Stockholm

Category:People from Skara Municipality

Category:Swedish people of Ethiopian descent

Category:Sportspeople of Ethiopian descent

Category:Doping cases in tennis

Category:21st-century Swedish sportsmen