Brain Tumor Sends Retired Tennis Pro Into an Off-Court Battle

When retired tennis pro Max Mirnyi got the news that he had a malignant brain tumor, he did what he’s always done best. The Olympic champion — who played mixed doubles with Serena Williams and once defeated Roger Federer to win the ATP Rotterdam Open singles title — got to work, knowing he wouldn’t go down without a fight.

Following brain surgery in his birth country of Belarus in November of 2023, the resident of Sarasota, Florida searched for his best options closer to home for the additional sophisticated care he needed. “The most up-to-date equipment with proton therapy was at Miami Cancer Institute,” he said.

"Today, I am feeling well. I love growing pineapples and bananas," says Max Mirnyi.

Proton therapy uses high-powered energy to destroy cancerous tumors. It’s a type of radiation therapy that works with pinpoint accuracy, reducing the amount of radiation to nearby structures. In contrast, X-rays used in traditional radiation therapy pass through tissue and organs on the way in and out of the body.

“One of the major advantages of proton therapy is that the radiation stops exactly where the tumor is,” said Mr. Mirnyi’s radiation oncologist, Minesh Mehta, M.D., chief of radiation oncology, deputy director and the John and Mary Lou Dasburg Endowed Chair in Radiation Oncology at Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute. “This allows us to deliver the highest possible dose to the tumor and spare normal tissue as best we can, which is particularly important in the brain.”

Miami Cancer Institute opened South Florida’s first proton therapy center in 2017. Cancers commonly treated with proton therapy include prostate and breast cancer, tumors of the central nervous system, head and neck tumors, gastrointestinal tumors, sarcomas, lymphomas and gynecological malignancies. Patients are typically able to handle normal activities and work while they are undergoing proton treatment.

Between February 12 and March 29, 2024, Mr. Mirnyi had 33 fractions or treatment sessions of proton radiation therapy and six chemotherapy infusions for his malignant brain neoplasm. Yazmin Odia, M.D., chief of neuro-oncology at the Institute, managed his chemotherapy treatment.

Minesh Mehta, M.D., deputy director and chief of radiation oncology at Baptist Health Miami Cancer Institute.

During the Monday through Friday daily proton sessions, he stayed in Miami, often accompanied by his father. He went home to his family on the weekends. “Today, I am feeling well. I love growing pineapples and bananas,” he said. He also coaches tennis privately, plays the drums and guitar, reaps the benefits of cold plunging and enjoys spending time with his wife and four children.

Like many patients with brain tumors, the tennis star who won Olympic Gold in mixed doubles with partner Victoria Azarenka in the 2012 London games began experiencing mild headaches that wouldn’t let up. “This went on for a few months and then an MRI discovered a tumor,” said the otherwise healthy and extremely fit 47-year-old.

Although Mr. Mirnyi had no other symptoms, brain tumors, depending on their location, size and type, can also cause:

• Seizures
• Nausea and vomiting
• Dizziness, balance problems and weakness
• Vision changes
• Feelings of confusion or changes in thinking or personality

The odds of being diagnosed with a cancerous — or non-cancerous — brain tumor are slim, Dr. Mehta said, but it’s important for anyone with signs to get checked out.

“He has faced immense challenges and formidable sporting foes and opposition that he has had to overcome. That builds a special type of character,” said Dr. Mehta, who added that Mr. Mirnyi has an optimistic, if guarded future.

For Mr. Mirnyi, who retired from the pro circuit in 2018, life is looking bright. “In tennis, you learn to deal with what you get and maximize your chances of winning every day, every practice, every match at a time.”

He is grateful for his care. “The Institute has all of the technologies of tomorrow and very caring people,” he says. “I was so perfectly cared for by the team of Dr. Mehta and Dr. Odia and their lovely staff.”