Altug Celikbilek | Bio | ATP Tour

Surname 'Celikbilek' translates to 'steel wrist'.
Speaks Turkish and English, is learning German and Flemish.
Trains with coach Tobias Hinzmann in Hamburg, Germany.
Father, Mustafa, is a national tennis coach in Istanbul, at the Enka Tennis Club. Mom, Saziye, works as a physical education teacher at a high school. Mom was also a professional runner in the Turkish national team.
Began playing tennis at age 4: "I was born in a tennis court and I grew up in a tennis court because my father gave lessons there. I was always at the club hanging around there when I was a baby."
Decided to turn pro and pursue a professional career at age 18, working with former World No. 12 Dominik Hrbaty in the early stages.
Motivation: "I just love to compete so much. I'm really competitive. And I'm proud to be a professional tennis player. I don't need to win a title to feel proud. To be able to compete all around the world and chase the dream and do what I want to do. That makes me proud."
If he could steal one shot from another player, it would be Novak Djokovic's return and Roger Federer's forehand.
Biggest passion outside of tennis is basketball. Kobe Bryant was his idol for his mentality and he currently supports the Los Angeles Lakers and Phoenix Suns in the NBA.
Also enjoys football and supports Fenerbahce in Turkiye.
Favourite music is American pop.

(UPDATED 12 AUGUST2021)

Won two Challenger titles in 2021, in Porto and Pozoblanco, becoming first player from Turkiye to win multiple titles in same season.
Achieved career-high No. 140 on 2 August 2021 after capturing 2nd Challenger title at Pozoblanco.
Broke into Top 300 in January 2021 after earning 2nd ATP Tour win of career in Antalya 1R as WC (d. Zuk).
Defeated former World No. 10 Gulbis in ATP Tour main draw debut at 2019 Antalya.
Owns 4-5 Davis Cup singles record for Turkiye, highlighted by tie-clinching win vs. Denmark in 2019 (d. Sigsgaard).