GTLF Philosophy
An educated and well supported child has a greater chance to become a champion
June 2010 The Global Tennis Legacy Foundation (GTLF) initiated a new unique global tennis legacy concept. The GLTF launch took place in Paris (Roland Garros) and announced a minimum of 10 national tennis legacy Foundations in 2011. The core values of the Foundation are non-profitable, transparent, independent, sustainable, and share in multi-expertise network.
The Global Tennis Legacy Foundation is a non-profit foundation where active, (semi)-retired top ATP/WTA players and global experts will contribute and donate their knowledge, network and expertise to the Foundation to build a unique custom-made and personalized tennis development program to every individual tennis player who joins the GTLF for a yearly contract.
GTLF Ambassadors
- Oscar Serrano
- Thomas Hogstedt
- Galo Blanco
- Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo
- Santiago Ventura
- Marc-Kevin Goellner
- Mikael Tillstrom
- Nicklas Kulti
- Magnus Norman
- Mahesh Bhupathi
- Henrieta Nagyova
- Sandrine Testud
- Younes El Aynaoui
- Martin Verkerk
- Mara Santangelo
- Mischa Zverev
- Hana Mandlikova
- Jeff Coetzee
- Jiri Novak
- John Van Lottum
Personal information
Began playing tennis at age four. Father, Felipe, is a tennis coach; mother, Manuela, is a housewife. Has one younger brother, David.
Hobbies include going to cinema, playing soccer and skiing.
Favorite movies are "Braveheart" and "The Silence of the Lambs". Favorite surface is clay and considers backhand as best shot. Enjoys eating egg dishes like "tortilla" and fried eggs.
Coached by Alvaro Margets and fitness trainer is Sebastian Santaeugenia.
Career Highlights
1995-Picked up total of 19 points in two Spanish Satellites. Finished fifth at Spain #7 circuit (12 points).
1996-In his second Challenger appearance, advanced to SF in Prostejov (l. to Clavet). Also QF at Seville Challenger. Played in five Spanish Satellites, finishing third at circuit #3 (25 points). Suffered a knee injury at end of season and sidelined him for two months.
1997-Came back slowly from injury and played in only three Challengers (0-3) during season. Played in three Satellites and finished third at Spain #7 circuit (23 points)
Current head coach Maria Sharapova
Residence: Stockholm, Sweden
Singles titles:
1983--(1) Ferrara
Year-by-Year Highlights:
1990- Quarterfinalist at Rotterdam.
1989- Quarterfinalist at Rio de Janeiro, Sydney Indoor.
1988- Runner-up at Thessaloniki Ch.; Semifinalist at Schnectady, Brest Ch.; Quarterfinalist at Cascais Ch.;Fourth at French Satellite #2(w/21 ATP pts.)
1987- Semifinalist at Schenectady.
1986- Winner at Thessaloniki Ch.; Semifinalist at Travemunde Ch.
1984- Semifinalist at Brussels; Quarterfinalist at San Francisco.
1983- Quarterfinalist at Milan.
1982- Semifinalist at Bastad, Basle; Quarterfinalist at Tunis Ch.
1981- Quarterfinalist at Athens Ch.
Captured the 1981 U.S. Open Junior singles title and turned pro shortly after. Has career victories over Mats Wilander ('82 Cincinnati), Andres Gomez ('82 Basle) and Stefan Edberg ('82 Stockholm). His lone Grand Prix singles title came at Ferrara, Italy in 1983, defeating Butch Walts in the final.
He received instruction and encouragement from his father, Lennart. That was a significant factor in his development as his birthplace, Malmo, had but one indoor tennis facility with the outdoor courts playable only four months.
Earned a career-high $55,886 in 1983 and finished No. 63 on the ATP computer rankings, a career year-end best. He also broke into the top 50 that year. Earned $53,429 and ranked No. 133 on the ATP computer, his best finish since 1986 (at No. 124). Today coaching Maria Sharapova after working few years in China with the Chinese Tennis Association and worked as personal coach with Li Na
Current head coach Raonic
Personal information
Full name is Galo Blanco Diaz. Began playing tennis at age five with his father, who is a doctor of radiology in Barcelona. Spotted at age 14 by Luis Corretja, father of Alex, at a junior tournament and took him into the family home in Barcelona where he was provided both formal and tennis education.
Enjoyed an outstanding junior career by reaching SF of Orange Bowl in 1994...Won Spanish Junior Championship (d. Moya) in 1994. Also a finalist at the Sunshine Cup for his country that year. Considers forehand as best shot and clay as favorite surface.
Enjoys skiing and at age 12 decided to concentrate on tennis (still goes to Andorra to ski every winter). An avid supporter of Spanish soccer, fan of club team Oviedo.
Coached by Jordi Vilaro.
Career Highlights
1995-Improved nearly 300 ranking positions...Captured first career Challenger title in Tampere (d. Bergstrom) and reached QF in Buenos Aires, his first on ATP.
1996-Moved into the Top 100 for the first time...Started the season 16-5 on the Challenger circuit, winning Prague (d. Kuerten) and reaching final in Dresden...Appeared in his first Grand Slam, losing to eventual champion Kafelnikov in 1st RD of Roland Garros. After reaching QF at two Challengers, reached his second ATP QF in Bastad, losing to finalist Medvedev...Also reached finals at Oporto Challenger (l. to Fromberg) and Campinas Challenger (l. to Kuerten).
1997-Advanced to SF in Kitzbuehel (d. No. 4 Corretja) and Marbella and QF at Roland Garros (l. to Rafter). Jumped from 111 to No. 72 after Roland Garros.
1998-Posted best results on favorite clay surface, reaching SF in Munich and Palermo and QF at three other ATP stops...Won 17 of his 20 matches on clay.
1999-Won first career ATP title in San Marino defeating countryman Portas in final...Also won Poznan Challenger.
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Personal
Full name is Ruben Ramirez Hidalgo. Began playing tennis at age eight with his parents. Father, Jose Maria, owns a sports shop; mother, Jeanine, is a housewife. Has two older sisters, Rebeca and Raquel. Enjoys all sports and going out with his friends. Considers clay as favorite surface. Coached by Diego Dinomo.
Career highlights
1998 -- Reached 2nd RD at five Futures tournaments in Spain.
1999 -- Winner at Morocco #1 and Morocco #3 Futures and SF at Spain #3, #4 Futures.
2000 -- Winner at Morocco #2 Futures and finalist at Morocco #3 and Romania #1 Futures. Advanced to SF at Spain #1, #15 and Romania #2 Futures.
2001 -- Winner at France #1, Yugoslavia #3 and France #9 Futures and runner-up at Yugoslavia #2 Futures. Played first full year of Challengers, compiling a 19-14 match record. Reached SF at Mantova, San Benedetto, Sopot and Seville Chs. and QF in three others. Won first ATP match in Bucharest (d. Savolt) before losing in 2nd RD.
2002 -- Put together a 28-17 match record in Challengers, winning titles in Brasov (d. Zovko) and Barcelona (d. Portas), first of his career. Also reached QF in eight other Challengers.
2003 -- Advanced to SF in Sopot (l. to Ferrer) and QF in Amersfoort (l. to Sluiter). Reached SF or better at five Challengers, including title run in Kosice (d. Zib) and runner-up at Zagreb (l. to Vliegen). Made Grand Slam debut at US Open and lost in 1st RD to Sanguinetti in five sets.
Personal
Began playing tennis at age six with his father, Santiago, who works in the administrative department of a company. Mother, Felia , is a housewife. Nickname is "Santi". Has a sister, Elana, who is a physiotherpist. Likes soccer and supports the Barcelona team. Favourite music group is Nirvana. Favorite movie is Pearl Harbor. Enjoys skiing and surfing the net... Tennis idols are Boris Becker and Juan Carlos Ferrero. Prefers to play on clay and considers his backhand his best shot. Most memorable experience was winning title in Casablanca over Hrbaty after qualifying into main draw...coached by Emilio Viuda.
Career highlights
2000 -- Compiled a record of 10-10 in Futures and 4-3 in Challengers. Reached QF at Morroco Futures #1 and Poland #3. In Challenger events, reached QF at Espinho and Sopot. Won doubles title at Spain Futures #1 (w/ Perez-Vazquez). Doubles finalist at Seville Challenger (w/ Robredo).
2001 -- Won back-to-back Futures titles in Spain, winning #9 (d. Cruciat) and #10 (d. Bourgeois). Went 17-9 in Futures. Won doubles titles at France #3 (w/ M Lopez) and Spain #8 (w/ Martin).
2002 -- Reached SF at Morocco Futures #1. Won titles in the next two weeks at Morocco #2 (d. Scheidweiler) and #3 (d. Maamoun). Went 17-7 in Futures and 4-5 in Challengers. Won doubles title at France #3 (w/Ramirez Hidalgo) and Spain #20 (w/Navarro Pastor). Doubles finalist at one Futures and Challenger event.
2003 -- Played exclusively at Futures events, posting a 36-21 record. Claimed titles at Spain #11 (d. Ouahab), #20 (d. Hipperdinger) and #29 (d. Viloca). Starting in August won at least to matches to reach at least the QF in six straight events. Won seven Futures doubles titles.
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Marc Kevin Goellner decided to be Global Ambassador GTLF. Marc runs his professional MK Goellner tennis academy in Cologne. See website www.mkgoellner.dePersonal
Full name is Marc-Kevin Peter Goellner. Born in Rio de Janeiro and lived in Tel Aviv (1972-75), Sydney (1975-81) and Recife, Brazil (1981-86) as a youngster before moving to Germany. Tore ligaments in his left foot twice (1988, 90). Has 12-8 career Davis Cup record (8-6 singles). Wife, Ira Patricia (married Feb. 18, 1994); daughter, Nina Jacqueline (born Sept. 28, 1995); son, Yannick-Keanu (born June 4, 1997). Coached by countryman Andreas Maurer (since 1991).
Career highlights
1992-SF Bucharest and Casablanca Challengers. In doubles, won the Casablanca title (w/Madsen).
1993-Reached first Tour QF in Athens. Won first Tour doubles title in Rotterdam as lucky loser (w/Prinosil). Won Nice as qualifier for first ATP title (d. Lendl). Won doubles title in Long Island and reached Roland Garros final (w/Prinosil). Helped Germany to Davis Cup title
1994-Advanced to five QF on three surfaces.
1995-At Queen's, beat Woodforde, Pozzi, Rosset and Rostagno before falling to Sampras in SF. Reached Wimbledon doubles SF for second consecutive year (w/Kafelnikov).
1996-Won Marbella Open and reached Bournemouth final, where he also won doubles (w/Rusedski). Earned doubles bronze medal in Atlanta Olympics (w/Prinosil).
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Initiator of the GoodtoGreat academy in Stockholm and global ambassador of GTLF.Personal
Used to practice with older brother Joakim. Younger brother, Per, also plays tennis. Father, Bjorn, played tennis in Sweden and was a Division 1 handball player for Halby in Jonkoping. Mother, Ulla.
Reached singles final of U.S. Open juniors (l. to Gaudenzi) and won doubles title (w/Renstrom) in '90. Elected 1995 Surprise of the Year by Swedish tennis journalists' association. Has a 3-1 career Davis Cup record (3-0 in doubles). Coached by countryman Martin Bohm.
Career highlights
1991-Won doubles title at Swedish Satellite (w/Renstrom, 27 points).
1992-Made ATP Tour debut as a qualifier in Monte Carlo and beat Santoro and Rosset before losing to eventual champion Muster in QF. In doubles, won first career ATP Tour title in San Marino (w/Kulti).
1993-In doubles, won in Dublin (w/Renstrom).
1994-Reached 4th RD at French Open (d. Krajicek, l. to Sampras). In doubles, won at Kosice (w/Ho), Scheveningen (w/Renstrom) and Andorra (w/Jarryd) Challengers.
1995-Qualified at French Open and beat No. 4 Ivanisevic for first career Top 10 win.
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Initiator of the GoodtoGreat academy in Stockholm and global ambassador of GTLF.Personal
Won 1989 Wimbledon and Australian Open Juniors and was finalist at U.S. Open Juniors, finishing world No. 1 junior.
Has an 18-5 career Davis Cup record in 18 ties (13-2 in doubles). Girlfriend, Malin; daughter, Mikaela (born March 25, 1998), who's godfather is Thomas Enqvist. Coached by Martin Bohm, who also works with Tillstrom.
Career highlights
1988-Reached final of Helsinki Challenger.
1989-Reached 3rd RD in first Grand Slam at Australian Open (l. to Lendl)...1990-First Tour final in Prague.
1991-Won his first career Tour title in Adelaide.
1992-Won doubles titles in Copenhagen (w/Larsson) and San Marino (w/Tillstrom).
1993-Won Adelaide.
1994-Won Monte Carlo doubles title (w/Larsson) as qualifiers. Reached SF at U.S. Open (w/Larsson). Was No. 11 in Team Rankings (w/Larsson).
1995-Reached French Open doubles final (w/Larsson).
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Initiator of the GoodtoGreat academy in Stockholm and global ambassador of GTLF.
Personal
Full name is Leif Magnus Norman. Began playing tennis at age eight when his grandmother gave him a racquet for his birthday.
The oldest child of father, Leif (who played second division bandy, a Swedish game played with clubs and a ball outdoors on ice), and mother, Leena (who was a swimmer on Swedish national team). Has one younger brother, Marcus, who plays bandy.
The strangest match he experienced came in a junior tournament when he threw his racquet over the fence and it got stuck in a tree-he had to forfeit the match. Enjoys fishing and reading Swedish history books. Says best sporting moment came in 1994 when Sweden won gold in ice hockey at Lillehammer Winter Olympics. At 16, played bandy on Swedish national team and during off-season at home in winter, likes to play every day.
In March 2001, met sports idol Peter Forsberg of NHL Colorado Avalanche during Scottsdale tournament. Keeps a diary on his matches and opponents. Allergic to animals and newly cut grass (which sometimes flares up in June during grass court circuit). Suffered from an irregular heart beat which required surgery in 1998 (has recovered fully)
He is part-owner, along with some Swedish NHL players, of a race-horse called "Days Go By," which won a race in Sweden. In 2000, organized a charity hockey game between Swedish golfers and tennis players with proceeds going to Children's Cancer Foundation. Has a 7-6 career Davis Cup record in seven ties since 1998. Coached by countryman and former ATP pro Mikael Tillstrom (since July 2003).
Personal InformationFull name is Mahesh Shrinivas Bhupathi. Played at the University of Mississippi from 1994-95, earning singles and doubles All-America honors in ‘95.
Teamed with Ali Hamadeh to win the NCAA doubles championship in ‘95 and finished as the No. 1 player in doubles and No. 3 in singles.
A member of the Indian Davis Cup team since 1995 and has a 32-20 career record in 32 ties (24-6 in doubles). On Mar. 26, 2001, he and Paes received India’s highest honor, the Padma Shri, at a ceremony in New Delhi (India’s equivalent of the American Medal of Honor or the British Knighthood). The Padma Shri is awarded to Indian citizens in recognition of their distinguished service to the nation. Won gold medal in doubles in Asian Games in December 2006 (w/Paes).
Career Highlights
2009 -- The Indian captured one title and reached three finals with Knowles. Runner-up at Australian (l. to Bryans) and US Opens (l. to Dlouhy-Paes) In April at Barcelona, they defeated Bryans in SF before falling to Nestor-Zimonjic in final. On grass, they advanced to QF at Wimbledon (l. to Moodie-Norman in five sets) and in August they dropped only one set in four matches en route to title in Montreal*. They beat Nestor-Zimonjic in SF and Mirnyi-A. Ram in final. They qualified for Barclays ATP World Tour Finals in London and reached SFs, losing to eventual champions Bryan brothers. Finished No. 7 individually and No. 3 in ATP Team Rankings.
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Personal informationResidence Bratislava, Slovakia. Height: 178cm, Weight: 58kg
Began playing tennis at age 4 in Nove Zamky. Has 1 brother Roman, he used to travel with her on tournaments. Mother and father used to play tennis in the University. Henrieta finished with professional career in 2006, because of back injury. It was very hard for her to leave the sport she loves. In 2007/8 started to help the Slovak Federation and in april 2009 opened small tennis academy in Bratislava. Right now she works full time at her tennis academy and managing Fed cup.
HobbiesL Enjoys watching movies, listening to music and yoga. Likes fashion and often poses for photo shoots. Loves polo and horses and she plays polo as much as she can. Loves Argentina because of great people, weather, food and of course polo farms. All other information you can find on www.henrietanagyova.sk
Career Highlights
1994 - In first four pro events on ITF Circuit, reached two SF, then won first two titles at ITF/Olsztyn-POL and ITF/Porec-CRO
1995 - Won two ITF singles titles at ITF/Bordeaux-FRA and ITF/Athens-GRE; improved season-ending ranking by 242 spots, breaking into Top 200
1996 - Finished in Top 50 for first time; won career-first Tour singles title at Warsaw (d. world No. 16 Paulus in final); also collected two ITF Circuit singles titles at ITF/Cali-COL and ITF/Bratislava-SVK
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Personal informationMarried Vittorio Magnelli, who coaches her, on June 13, 1998. Daughter, Isabella, was born Feb. 19, 2003.
Father, Daniel, is an engineer; mother Josette. She has one brother, Fabrice. Other athletic interests include skiing, basketball, windsurfing and swimming.
Loves to visit New Caledonia, Australia and San Diego. Enjoys listening to Queen, Pink Floyd, REM and Prince. Enjoys movies (favorites are La Vita e Bella and As Good As It Gets). Favorite actors are Harrison Ford, Tom Cruise, Gerard Depardieu and Jack Nicholson.
Career highlights
1989 - Won first pro title in second-ever event at ITF/Limoges-FRA; played first Tour qualifying at Taranto, Paris [Indoors], Moscow and Bayonne.
1990 - Played first Grand Slam qualifying at Australian Open; reached first Tour SF at Karlovy Vary; won three ITF Circuit titles; made Grand Slam debut at Roland Garros.
1991 - Reached second Tour SF at Bol and QF at Albuquerque and St. Petersburg; broke into Top 100 on September 30 at No. 97.
1992 - Reached QF at Strasbourg and first Tour doubles final at Pattaya City (w/Paradis-Mangon)
1993 - First Top 100 finish; reached SF at Strasbourg and QF at Pattaya City
1994 - Best result was reaching 4r at Australian Open ranked world No. 115, d. No. 15 Sukova (l. to No. 1 Graf); reached 3r at Los Angeles and 2r at Canadian Open as a qualifier
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Personal informationWife, Anne Sophie (married Sept. 13, 1997); sons, Ewen (born Aug. 11, 1997), Neil born July 2, 2001) and Noam (born Aug. 21, 2003).
While growing up, he enjoyed getting a souvenir (wrist band or other item) from a tennis player and says, "I'm always trying to give things away and make the people at least happy.". Attended Nick Bollettieri Academy from 1990-92 and while there, drove the bus, cleaned the gym and watched kids in their room to help pay for his stay there. Speaks six languages (Arabic, English, French, Italian, Portuguese, Spanish).
Member of Moroccan Davis Cup team since 1990 with a 23-15 career record (21-9 in singles) in 18 ties. Earned ATP Comeback Player of the Year in 1998, improving from 444 to No. 49 after missing seven months in '97. Member of 2000-01 and 2002-03 ATP Player Council. In June 2003 at ATP tournament in Halle, defeated German teenager Christopher Koderisch in 1st RD and afterwards he played an extra set with his opponent for the benefit of the audience. One of most prominent personalities in Morocco, beyond sports. In a 2003 poll by leading Moroccan economic daily, "L'Economiste," he came in first as a role model for society. Has also been endowed with highest possible decoration from the King of Morocco. Uses his influence on Moroccan society to promote solidarity and activities of outreach to young and less privileged. Has developed a partnership with the National Association of Tennis Coaches for initiation of the youth in need to practice and values of sports and is currently designing a foundation that will enable such initiatives to reach a broader public.
Career highlights
1992-Reached first ATP QF in Casablanca. Lost to Becker in 2nd RD of Barcelona Olympics.
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Personal informationFull name is Martin Willem Verkerk. Began playing tennis at age seven with his father, Wim, and mother, Bep, who is a retired school teacher.
Has one older brother, Mickel, who works in a sports business. Captured Dutch 18-under title in 1995. Enjoys watching Formula 1 racing. Admired Andre Agassi and Pete Sampras while growing up. Considers backhand and serve as his strengths. Favorite surface is clay and slow hard courts. Has a 6-5 career Davis Cup record (3-1 in doubles) in five ties since 2002. Coached by Nick Carr (of New Zealand) since October 2001.
Career Highlights
1997-Finished runner-up at Netherlands Satellite (46 points). Reached 2nd RD at Ostend Challenger.
1998 - Defeated fellow Dutch player John van Lottum to reach 2nd RD in first ATP event at Amsterdam before losing to S. Dosedel in next match.
1999-Reached final of Scheveningen Challenger and improved ranking 170 positions during year.
2000-Reached SF at Scheveningen and Manerbio Challengers.
2001-Played only ATP event of year in Amsterdam, losing to Mutis in 1st RD. Reached finals at Challengers in Eisenach (l. to O. Gross) and Aschaffenburg (l. to S. Greul). Reached SF in Braunschweig and Houston Challengers.
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Personal informationCurrently without a coach; lives and trains in Rome. Started playing at age 9. Favorite shot is volley. Parents played recreational tennis; brother, Matteo, used to play.
Hobbies include playing beach volleyball in Rome, listening to music, sightseeing. Admires grandmother and Martina Navratilova.
Career highlights
1996 - Played first event of career in doubles at ITF/Nicolosi-ITA.
1997 - Continued to play on ITF Circuit.
1998 - Won one doubles title on ITF Circuit.
1999 - Won three doubles titles on ITF Circuit.
2000 - Won two singles titles and five doubles titles on ITF Circuit.
2001 - Continued to play on ITF Circuit.
2002 - Won one singles title on ITF Circuit.
2003 - Played first Tour main draws at Casablanca and US Open, falling 1r at both; fell in Tour qualifying 11 times (incl. other three majors); won one singles title and two doubles titles on ITF Circuit.
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Personal informationBegan playing tennis at age two with father Alexander, a former Davis Cup player for the former Soviet Union (compiled an 18-18 career record in 16 ties).
Family moved from Moscow to Germany in 1991. Mother, Irina, is also a former player. Both parents now coach at a tennis club in Hamburg (UHC). Has one younger brother, Sascha.
Speaks Russian, German and English. Nickname is Misch.
Likes fishing and NBA (supports Miami Heat)
Admired his father who according to players such as Alexander Volkov and Yevgeny Kafelnikov ‘played like a cat on the court’.
Favorite surface is indoors and favorite shots are serve and volley. Coached by his father, Alexander, who played Davis Cup from 1982-87.
Career highlights
2003 – Reached SF at Kumamoto, Japan, Futures (l. to Yoon). Also reached QF at Glasgow Futures (l. to Murray).
2004 – Reached three Futures QF...Reached a pair of doubles SF at Futures.
2005 – Reached SF at Austrian Futures event (l. to Ager). Also reached QF at one Challenger and three Futures. Won doubles titles in back-to-back weeks at Florida Futures (w/ Kuznetsov). Also reached doubles final at Austrian Futures (w/Dorsch) and Orlando Challenger (w/Kuznetsov).
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Personal informationHana Mandlíková (born 19 February 1962, in Prague) is a former professional tennis player from the Czech Republic.
During her career, she won four Grand Slam singles titles – two at the Australian Open, one at the French Open, and one at the US Open.
She was the runner-up at four Grand Slam singles events and won one Grand Slam women's doubles title, the US Open in 1989 with Martina Navratilova.
Beginning with the 1980 US Open and extending through Wimbledon in 1981, Mandlíková played in four consecutive Grand Slam singles finals. Struggling with injuries and a lack of confidence, Mandlíková retired at the relatively early age of 28.
Personal informationGrew up in copper mining town of Okiep in North Western Cape and his tennis talents were discovered when he was nine years old.
Mother, Mary, is a housewife; Father, William, passed away when he was 16. Has four brothers (one passed away in 2006) and two sisters.
Played on a make-shift gravel court in his home's backyard in Namaqualand where he tied orange bags together to serve as the net.
No. 1 junior player in South Africa until he was 18 and Top 30 in singles, Top 20 in doubles in world junior rankings.
Considers return game, quickness and mental aspect his strengths.
Says best moment in his career was reaching Australian Open SF in 2003 and '08, and playing Davis Cup for his country.
Has a 10-5 career Davis Cup record (10-3 in doubles) in 14 ties. Coached by counryman and former ATP pro Piet Norval.
Career Highlights
1999 -- Captured six Challenger titles, including Tulsa and Bronx (w/Hernandez), Manchester (w/Godwin), Bristol (w/Brandt), Jerusalem (w/Ketola), and Singapore (w/Roberts). Advanced to QF at U.S. Open (w/Haygarth). Finished in Top 100 for first time at No. 76.
2000 -- Reached 3rd RD at Queen'ss, Wimbledon, and U.S. Open (w/Haygarth). Won Challenger titles at Las Vegas and Surbiton (w/Ondruska) and Binghamton (w/Bower).
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Personal informationBegan playing tennis at age six.Runner-up in singles and doubles winner at the European Championships in Lisbon in 1993. Also a QF at the Wimbledon juniors that year.
Enjoys hockey and soccer. Played goalkeeper for NHL players against ATP players in annual street hockey challenge in Montreal in 2001. Has played in 1996, 2000 and 2004 Olympics Games.
Has a 26-7 career Davis Cup record (16-5 in singles) in 16 ties since 1996.
Considers forehand as best shot and clay his best surface, winning four of his five career titles on it.
Wife, Katerina (married June 4, 1999); son, Jakub (born Dec. 16, 1998); twins Jiri Jr. and daughter Katerina (born May 23, 2001).
Coached by Czech Republic Davis Cup captain Jan Kukal.
Career highlights
1994 – Won first career Challenger title in Prague-1. In doubles, won Prostejov (w/Vasek).
1995 – Captured three of seven Challenger finals (all on clay). In doubles, won first ATP titles in Bogota and Santiago (w/Rikl) along with two Challengers.
1996 – Won first ATP title in Auckland (d. Steven) and reached another final in Mexico City (l. to Muster). Posted first Top 10 win over Becker in Basel.
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Personal informationBegan playing tennis at age eight. Reached final of Dutch 18-under Nationals in 1993.
Father, Chris; mother, Marie Claude, is an architect. Has an older sister, Noelle (born July 12, 1972), who played on the WTA Tour circuit from 1987-99 (ranked a career-high No. 57 in singles on Jan. 11, 1993). Her best Grand Slam result was 3rd RD at 1992 US Open.
Has a 1-3 career record in three Davis Cup ties -- 1998 (vs. Belgium), 2000 (vs. Germany) and 2003 (vs. India).
Career highlights
1994 - Played in three Satellites and picked up 16 ATP points.
1995 - Won Egypt #2 Satellite (48 points) and fourth at Poland #2 circuit (24 points). Finished third in doubles at Croatia #1 (32 points).
1996 - Won Bulgaria #2 Satellite (48 points) and advanced to first QF at Cherbourg Challenger.
1997 - Improved his ATP Ranking by 90 positions by reaching his first ATP QF in Amsterdam and advancing to 3rd RD at Wimbledon as a qualifier. Also went to 3rd RD at US Open.
1998 - Finished in Top 100 for first time (one of five Dutchmen). Reached his first ATP SF in San Jose, defeating T. Martin in a third-set tiebreak before losing to No. 1 Sampras in three sets. Reached Grand Slam best 4th RD at Wimbledon (l. to Korda)...Also reached QF in Newport and Singapore. Made his Davis Cup debut against Belgium in 1st RD tie and lost to Dewulf.
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