Career
He became a national hero in Belarus after the Davis Cup 2004, when he and Vladimir Voltchkov defeated Russia 3–2 and Argentina 5–0, reaching the semifinals, where they lost to the United States. For that achievement, he was awarded the government's highest degree medal of honor.
Mirnyi was supposed to be the flag bearer of the Belarus national team for the official opening of the 2004 Summer Olympic Games, but Belarusian sport officials changed their minds after they found out that Mirnyi let one Belarusian glamour magazine publish erotic images of himself and his wife.
In 2006, he scored an upset as he took down James Blake 6–4, 3–6, 4–6, 6–1, 6–0, at Wimbledon. He then lost to his doubles partner Jonas Björkman 3–6, 6–7, 6–4, 6–2, 3–6. Björkman's run to the semifinals may have tired him out, as he and Björkman lost to Fabrice Santoro and Nenad Zimonjić in straight sets.
In September 2008, Mirnyi completed his studies at the BSU (Belarus State University), where he got a degree in international law. His thesis was about international protection of children's rights. Since 2005, he has served as a Good Will Ambassador to the United Nations in Belarus and regularly takes part in various programs in the framework of UN AIDS and UNICEF.
Read more about this topic: Max Mirnyi
Famous quotes containing the word career:
“They want to play at being mothers. So let them. Expressing tenderness in their own way will not prevent girls from enjoying a successful career in the future; indeed, the ability to nurture is as valuable a skill in the workplace as the ability to lead.”
—Anne Roiphe (20th century)
“I seemed intent on making it as difficult for myself as possible to pursue my “male” career goal. I not only procrastinated endlessly, submitting my medical school application at the very last minute, but continued to crave a conventional female role even as I moved ahead with my “male” pursuits.”
—Margaret S. Mahler (1897–1985)
“A black boxer’s career is the perfect metaphor for the career of a black male. Every day is like being in the gym, sparring with impersonal opponents as one faces the rudeness and hostility that a black male must confront in the United States, where he is the object of both fear and fascination.”
—Ishmael Reed (b. 1938)