Jarkko Nieminen finished the 2014 Sony Open Tennis match against Bernard Tomic in just 28 minutes and 20 seconds, marking the shortest recorded Masters Tour tennis match in Open Era history. A career professional from Finland, he remains the only player from his country to secure an ATP singles title and advance to a Grand Slam quarterfinal.
Early Career and Junior Success
Born in 1981 in Masku, Nieminen began his competitive path in the junior ranks. By 1999, he climbed to world No. 9 and captured the Junior US Open title, having defeated Kristian Pless in the final. That same year, he earned his first selection for the Finnish Davis Cup team. By 2001, he finished the season within the world Top 100, bolstered by a 38-12 record on the Challenger circuit and a runner-up performance at the Stockholm ATP event.
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Nieminen reached his peak world ranking of No. 13 in July 2006, a position that stands as a Finnish national record. His best Grand Slam results include quarterfinals at the 2005 US Open, the 2006 Wimbledon Championships, and the 2008 Australian Open. He claimed two ATP singles titles during his career, winning in Auckland in 2006 and Sydney in 2012, while accumulating five ATP doubles titles.
Transition and Post-Tennis Activity
After announcing his retirement in June 2015, Nieminen played his final professional tennis match at the Stockholm Open that year. He maintained his involvement in high-level sports by pivoting to floorball, joining SC Classic for the 2016-2017 season in the Finnish Salibandyliiga. In 2024, the state honored his contribution to national sport by awarding him the Knight of the Order of the Lion of Finland.
Fast facts
- Born: 23 July 1981, Masku
- Highest ATP Ranking: No. 13 (July 2006)
- ATP Singles Titles: 2
- ATP Doubles Titles: 5
- Career Retirement: 2015
- Awards: Knight of the Order of the Lion of Finland (2024)
- Olympic Appearances: 2004, 2008, 2012
Questions readers ask
What is Jarkko Nieminen's highest world ranking?
He reached world No. 13 in July 2006, which remains the record for a Finnish male tennis player.
Did Jarkko Nieminen win any Grand Slam titles?
He won the 1999 Junior US Open, but at the professional level, his best Grand Slam results were three quarterfinal appearances.
What sport did Nieminen play after tennis?
Following his 2015 retirement from tennis, he played professional floorball for SC Classic in the Finnish Salibandyliiga.