Michael Craig Russell is an American professional tennis player. He reached a career-high singles ranking of World No. 60 in August 2007. His 23 United States Tennis Association Pro Circuit singles titles were the all-time record, as of November 2013. That month he became the third-highest-ranked American in the world. In 1994 Russell was ranked No. 1 in both singles and doubles in the USTA Boys' 16 rankings, and in 1996 he was ranked No. 1 in singles in the U.S. Boys' 18-Under. Playing for the University of Miami in 1996?97, he was named National Collegiate Athletic Association Rookie of the Year, before he turned pro in 1997. A high school valedictorian, Russell is one of the few current Association of Tennis Professionals players who have a college degree, having earned a B.S. from the University of Phoenix with a 3.94 grade point average. Russell has struggled with knee injuries for much of his professional career. He is perhaps best known for, on two occasions, holding surprise two-set leads in Grand Slam tournaments against former Grand Slam champions, before eventually being defeated both times. 

May 1st, 1978 in Detroit (Age 47)