ATP Players

Roger Federer (SUI)

Roger Federer was born in Basel, Switzerland on August 8, 1981. Largely considered the best tennis player of his generation and amongst the elite of all-time great male tennis players, Federer has won 12 Grand Slam titles: five consecutive Wimbledon titles 2003-07, four consecutive US Open titles 2004-07, and three Australian Open titles 2004 and 2006-07. To date, Federer has lifted 53 career titles, of which four were Tennis Masters Cup titles and fourteen ATP Masters Series Titles. Federer has set and surpassed numerous records over the years, namely winning three Grand Slam titles in a calendar year three times (2004, 2006 and 2007) and since February 2, 2004 he has held the World No.1 – for a record of 209 consecutive weeks.

Federer began playing tennis when he was six years old. Federer was also a talented football player and even flirted with the idea of becoming a professional football player at one point; but at the age of twelve, he decided to focus solely on tennis. Federer’s emotional and explosive junior years are fairly well chronicled– with stories of occasionally being kicked off practice courts for his temperamental behavior. In 1998, his last year as a junior, Federer won the junior Wimbledon title and the prestigious year-ending Orange Bowl. He was awarded the title of ITF World Junior Tennis champion of the year.

In July 1998, Federer joined the ATP tour at Gstaad and in 1999, Federer finished the year as the youngest player inside the ATP’s Top 100 ranking. From 2000-03, Federer enjoyed sporadic successes, winning a few non-major titles and one Grand Slam title—Wimbledon (2003). It was not until 2004 that Federer enjoyed one of the most dominating performances in the Open Era of modern men’s tennis. He won three of the four Grand Slam titles, won every final he reached, seized the year-end Tennis Masters Cup title and finished the year having not lost a single match to a player ranked below the Top 10. (Federer’s win/loss record for the year was 74-6 with 11 titles. Since then, Federer’s domination has been near complete.

Rafael Nadal (ESP)

Rafael Nadal Parera (nicknamed Rafa) was born in Manacor, Mallorca on June 3, 1986. Rafa has ranked as the World No.2 tennis player since July 25, 2005. He is a three-time French Open champion (2005-07) and a two-time Wimbledon finalist (2006-07).

From April 2005 to May 2007 Nadal went undefeated on clay, winning a record 81-matches before losing to Federer in the final of the AMS in Hamburg. Nadal’s record is the longest winning streak on any surface, by a male player in the Open Era, earning him the reputation as one of the best clay court players of our time and maybe the best the sports has ever seen; in fact, he is considered to be the reigning King of Clay.

Nadal is one of the only players who hold a winning record against reigning World No.1 and 12-time Grand Slam titlist Roger Federer, and is also single-handedly responsible for quashing Federer’s quest for both a Career Grand Slam and a Calendar Grand Slam (d. Federer in the 2005 French Open semifinal and twice at the French Open final (2006-07)).

Nadal is coached by his uncle Toni. Nadal is naturally right-handed, but plays with his left-handed. In his early years, Nadal was also interested in soccer and considered following in the footsteps of his uncle, Miguel Ángel Nadal, who is a retired professional soccer player, having played for RCD Mallorca, FC Barcelona, and the Spanish national team. But since the age of 12, when Nadal decided to pursue tennis as a career, he has not looked back, setting his sights on scaling its pinnacle.

Novak Djokovic (SRB)

Novak Djokovic (aka Nole or the Djoker) was born in Belgrade, Serbia on May 22, 1987. Djokovic comes from a family of professional skiers, but at the age of four, Djokovic found his true calling – tennis. Djokovic is coached by former Slovak ATP tour player Marian Vajda and his two younger brothers – Dorde (Djordje) and Marko are tennis players with professional aspirations as well.

In 2006, Djokovic won his maiden ATP title in Amersfoort, without dropping a set, defeating Nicolas Massu in the final; and later in the year, Djokovic collected a second ATP title in Metz, which moved him into the Top 20.

In 2007, Djokovic enjoyed a breakthrough year, cracking the Top 10 and reaching his highest career singles ranking of No.3 on July 9, 2007.

In 2007, Djokovic seized two AMS Shields—Miami and Montreal—of the three ATP Masters Series finals he reached (l. to Nadal at the Indiana Wells final); reached both the semifinals of Roland Garros and Wimbledon and the final of the US Open (l. to Federer).

In January 2008, Djokovic lived up to the hype surrounding him by winning his maiden Grand Slam title at the Australian (d. Tsonga). En route to the final, Djokovic felled Federer in the semifinal, ending Federer’s record string of Grand Slam final appearances at 10, dating back to the Australian Open in 2005.

Djokovic, considered one of the best hard court players on the tour, is an all-court player as well. Powerful groundstroke’s, especially from his forehand wing, are deep, precise and have strong topspin, allowing him to control play from the baseline exceptionally well. Perhaps the most underrated aspect of his game is his serve. Djokovic’s serve is one his major weapons and most reliable in pulling him out of tough situations.

Nikolay Davydenko (RUS)

Nikolay Vladimirovich Davydenko was born in Severodonetsk, Ukrainian SSR, Soviet Union on June 2, 1981. Although he was born in Ukraine, Davydenko plays tennis for Russia. Davydenko, currently ranks fourth in the World and is the No.1 ranked Russian player.

Davydenko holds eleven ATP singles titles and to date his best Grand Slam result was the semifinal: French Open (2005 and 2007) and in back-to back US Opens (2006-07). While Davydenko has not won a major title in his career yet, he consistently makes deep runs in major (and non-major) tournaments alike.

At 11 years-old Davydenko moved to Volgograd Russia with his elder brother Eduard, to pursue a professional tennis career. In 1999, at the age of 18, Davydenko was awarded Russian citizenship and since then has represented Russia. In the same year, Davydenko also turned professional. In 2000, Davydenko largely played on the Futures Tour, where he captured one title and reached three finals. His ATP debut came in Amsterdam where he reached the semifinal.

Davydenko is known for his consistent baseline play, as well as all-round game. Clean shot making and precision is a huge feature of his playing style. His strength lies in his return game (which resembles Andre Agassi), agility, balance and groundstroke’s. Davydenko’s best shot is his backhand, which he can send down the line, cross-court or any which extreme angle; and not unlike Rafael Nadal, he is known for his running shots, which he can turn into winners.

David Ferrer (ESP)

David Ferrer was born on April 2, 1985 in Javea/Xabia, Spain. After World No.2 and top-ranked Spanish tennis player Rafael Nadal, Ferrer is Spain’s No.2, after reaching his highest ATP tour singles ranking of World No.5 on November 19, 2007.

Ferrer, who turned professional in 2000, was for the longest time one of the least talked about players to come out of Spain, breaking into the Top 50 at the end of the 2004 season.

In 2005, Ferrer’s career enjoyed a turn-around, which saw him finish the year in the Top 20. In 2006, Ferrer broke into the Top 10 for the first time in his career following a fourth round appearance at the Australian Open. His stint in the Top 10 lasted five weeks and he finished the year ranked No.14 for the second year in a row.

The 2007 season marks Ferrer’s career best season, opening the year with a win in Auckland and reached the fourth round of the Australian Open for a second consecutive year. In July, Ferrer seized his second ATP title for the year (and fourth overall career title), winning the Swedish Open in Bastad, Sweden. At the 2007 US Open, as the fifteenth seed, Ferrer reached his first Grand Slam semifinal, beating David Nalbandian and upsetting Rafael Nadal en route, before falling to Novak Djokovic. On the heels of his US Open, Ferrer reached the World No.8 ranking and won his third title of the year in Tokyo (d. Richard Gasquet in the final). Ferrer qualified for the first time for the season-ending 2007 Tennis Masters Cup, where he shocked Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal in the Round Robin stage and upset Andy Roddick in the semifinals (l. to Federer in the final). Ferrer finished the season at a career-high ranking No.5.

Ferrer is known for his dogged determination and unwillingness to concede defeat. An exceptional clay court player, Ferrer has enjoyed success on hard court as well.

Andy Roddick (USA)

Andrew Stephen “Andy” Roddick is an American professional tennis player born in Omaha, Nebraska on August 30, 1982. Also known as the other A-Rod (a reference to baseball superstar Alex Rodriguez, who owns the nickname), Roddick is a former World No.1 player and currently the top-ranked American in the ATP rankings, finishing as the year ranked sixth in 2006 and 2007 ATP Race.

Andy Roddick holds 23 career titles, which includes the 2003 US Open. Roddick has appeared in three other Grand Slam finals (Wimbledon 2004-05) and US Open (2006). Roddick has also won two career AMS Shields – Cincinnati (2006) and Miami (2004). He also reached the Tennis Masters Cup Semifinal three times (2003-04 and 2007).

Roddick has been a permanent fixture for the United States on its Davis Cup team, and was responsible for ending USA’s 12-year long title drought—along with teammates James Blake and the Bryans twins and Captain Patrick McEnroe.

Roddick’s strength lies in his serve, which is both accurate and powerful, but since adding Jimmy Connors to his coaching staff, Roddick has worked on improving his all-court coverage and his two worst shots – the two-handed backhand and volley.

Richard Gasquet (FRA)

Richard Gasquet, born on June 18, 1986, in Beziers in the Languedoc-Roussillon region, is a French tennis player who cracked the Top 10 in July, following his run into the Wimbledon semifinal (reached a career high of World No. 7),after defeating Andy Roddick in five sets in the quarterfinals.

Gasquet began playing tennis at the age of four under the tutelage of his father, Francis, who ran a tennis club along with his mother, Maryse. From an early age, Gasquet’s talent was hyped and at age 9, he was featured on the cover of French Tennis Magazine.

Gasquet debut on the ATP Tour came in April 2002, at the ATP Masters Series in Monte Carlo. He was the youngest player at the age of 15 years, 10 months to qualify for a Tennis Masters event. A month later, Gasquet went on to make his maiden Grand Slam appearance at the French Open. Gasquet finished the year as the No.1 Junior in the world, and was the World Junior Champion— having won both the French Open and US Open junior titles in 2002.

In 2005, Gasquet won his first ATP tour singles title and finished the year as the top-ranked Frenchman on the ATP tour for the first time; in 2006, Gasquet picked up three more ATP titles and finished the season as the French No.1 player for a second time.

In 2007, Gasquet won one ATP title, was a finalist at Estoril and Tokyo and reached the semifinals of Sydney, Wimbledon and the AMS in Paris. He qualified for the Tennis Masters Cup, but did not advance out of the Round Robin stage.

Gasquet is oft referred to as “baby Federer” because of his versatile playing style. His best shot is a one-handed backhand, which is both precise and powerful. He has exquisite shot-making ability and plays a complete all-round tennis game.

Mikhail Youzhny (RUS)

Mikhail Youzhny is a Russian tennis player born on June 25, 1982 in Moscow. Youzhny debut on the professional tour came in 1999. He captured four titles on the Futures tour.

In 2002, Youzhny won his first ATP tour singles title in Stuttgart and reached the finals in St. Petersburg. In 2004, Youzhny won his second career ATP title in St. Petersburg and was a finalist in Beijing. In 2007, Youzhny picked up his third career ATP title in Rotterdam, and finished runner-up in Dubai and Munich.

In 2008, Youzhny seized his fourth career ATP title in Chennai, (d. Rafael Nadal) and reached the quarterfinals at the Australian Open (l. to eventual finalist Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.).

Youzhny is known for his versatile and all-court game, his backhand is his best shot. The weakest part of his game is his serve.

David Nalbandian (ARG)

David Nalbandian is an Argentinean professional tennis player, who was born on January 1, 1982 in Cordoba, Argentina, but is of American descent. Nalbandian turned professional in 2000 and the following year finished within the ATP Top 50 for the first time in his career. In 2002, Nalbandian continued to climb the ranks and finished the year as the top-ranked Argentinean and South American player on the ATP Tour, winning two ATP titles along the way and reaching the Wimbledon final (l. to Lleyton Hewitt).

In 2003, Nalbandian finished the year ranked in the Top 10; in 2004, Nalbandian cracked the Top 5 for the first time in his career, briefly in July, before finishing the year ranked No.9.

In 2005, Nalbandian enjoyed a great season, arriving at the quarterfinals of three Grand Slams – Australian Open, Wimbledon and US Open—and more importantly, winning the year-end Tennis Masters Cup (d. Roger Federer in the final). In 2006, Nalbandian reached the Australian Open and French Open semifinal, picked up one ATP title in Estoril and caused a stir during a heated Davis Cup tie against Australia, (Argentina thrashed Australia 5-0).

In 2007, Nalbandian enjoyed a lacklustre first half of the season, dropping out of the Top 20 for the first time since 2003. However, his lapsed form was caused by various injuries.

In the latter half, Nalbandian launched a comeback, winning the 2007 AMS in Madrid—defeating Nadal, Djokovic and Federer in consecutive rounds to become only the third player after Boris Becker and Djokovic to defeat the world’s top three players in a single tournament. Nalbandian went on to seize the AMS shield in Paris, stunning Federer in the third round, Ferrer in the quarterfinals, Gasquet in the semifinals and Nadal in the final, becoming the first player to win back-to-back AMS shields since former World No.1 Marat Safin in 2004. On the heels of his performance in the latter half of the 2007 season, Nalbandian eased back into the Top 10.

Tomas Berdych (CZE)

Tomas Berdych was born on September 17, 1985 in Valasske Mezirici and is a professional tennis player from the Czech Republic.

In 2002, Berdych turned professional and to date, perhaps his biggest career win came in 2004 at the Athens Olympics, where he defeated World No.1 Roger Federer.

In 2004, Berdych won his first ATP tour title in Palermo; in 2005, he seized his first-ever AMS shield in Paris and finished runner-up in Bastad. In 2006, he reached two finals, Halle and Mumbai.

In 2007, Berdych won his third career ATP singles title in Halle, advanced into his first Grand Slam quarterfinal – Wimbledon, and finished the year in the Top 15 and as the No.1 Czech player for a second year in a row.

Berdych began playing tennis at the age of five and quickly became a top junior – won the Czech Republic 12-under junior title, the 14-under nationals and at 16, he won the prestigious 18-under national title. Berdych’s favorite surface is hard and his serve and forehand are his biggest weapons.

James Blake (USA)

James Riley Blake was born in Yonkers, New York, United States on December 28, 1979 and is a professional tennis player. Blake began playing tennis at five and when he was 13 years-old, he was diagnosed with severe scoliosis, which forced him to wear a full-length back brace through the remainder of his teenage years. Despite his condition, Blake continued to train and play tennis, eventually dropping out of Harvard University in his sophomore year to pursue tennis full-time.

In 2001, Blake joined the US Davis Cup team, becoming the third tennis player of African-American heritage to play for the USA in Davis Cup competition (after Arthur Ashe and MaliVai Washington).

In 2004, Blake was dealt numerous setbacks to his professional tennis career. While practicing with Robbie Ginepri, Blake broke his neck when he slipped on the clay and collided with the net post. A few months later, his father died from stomach cancer and Blake himself became ill, developing shingles, which temporarily paralyzed his face and blurred his vision. With all the setbacks, devastation and obstacles, Blake’s career seemed all but over and it was hardly surprising, when in the first half of the 2005 season, Blake put forward mediocre results and dropped to No.210 in the World.

To gain confidence, Blake took a turn at the Challenger circuit, rejoining the ATP circuit in the summer; and by August, his game was enjoying resurgence. He finished the year ranked No.22.

From 2006 onwards, Blake has been one of the most consistent players on the ATP tour, if not inspiring and his story of triumph, overcoming the many trials and tribulations in his life to become a successful professional tennis player, has earned the respect and regard of his fellow tour players, peers and most of all fans.

Andy Murray (GBR)

Andrew “Andy” Murray is Scottish tennis player, born in Glasgow on May 15, 1987 and currently holds the highest ranking of any British player on the ATP tour.

In 2005, Andy Murray enjoyed a breakout season, reaching the third round at both the Stella Artois championship at Queens and Wimbledon. In the same year, Murray was called up for Davis Cup duty, and in so doing, he became the youngest player to represent Great Britain. He finished the year ranked in the Top 100 (a career high ranking of No. 65).

In 2006, on the heels of some notable performances, which include a fourth round appearance at Wimbledon, a semi-final appearance at the Canada Masters, a quarterfinal appearance at the Cincinnati Masters and a fourth round appearance at the US Open, Murray finished the year in the Top 20. In 2006, he was also one of only two players to defeat No.1 Roger Federer, the other being Rafael Nadal. Murray also picked up his first title in San Jose.

In 2007, Murray successfully defended his San Jose title, and picked up his third career title in St. Petersburg.

In 2008, Murray won the first title of the season in Doha, Qatar. Despite crashing out of the first round of the Australian Open, Murray bounced back with another title run in Marseille France.

Jo-Wilfried Tsonga (FRA)

Born on April 17, 1985, Jo-Wilfried Tsonga Petsonga is a French professional tennis player, who rose to fame and cracked the Top 20 in ATP rankings following a Cinderella run at the 2008 Australian Open. Unseeded at the Australian Open, Tsonga began his magical run with a shock upset in his opening match, dismissing #9 seed Andy Murray, after which, he did not look back, and in succession deposed of #14 Mikhail Youzhny, #8 Richard Gasquet and #2 Rafael Nadal with an impressive display of tennis, before falling to Novak Djokovic in the final.

In 2007, on a wild card at the Australian Open, Tsonga met Andy Roddick in the first round. While he lost the match 6-7 (18), 7-6 (2), 6-3, 6-3, he won the first set in the longest tiebreaker in Australian Open history (20-18).

Tsonga is of mixed descent; his mother is French and his father, Didier Tsonga, is Congolese. Tsonga’s cousin, Charles N’Zogbia is a soccer player who plays for Newcastle United as a midfielder.

Paul-Henri Mathieu (FRA)

Born in Strasbourg, France, Paul-Henri Mathieu is one of France’s promising tennis talents. Mathieu began playing tennis at a very young age. In his teenage years, he trained for three years at the Nick Bolletierri Tennis Academy in Bradeton, Florida.

In 2000, Mathieu won the French Open Junior title, defeating Tommy Robredo in the final; and in July of that year, Mathieu joined the ATP circuit. In 2002, Mathieu was named Newcomer of the Year.

Mathieu has been called up to Davis Cup duty, along with compatriots Richard Gasquet and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.

Mathieu recently added former World No.1 Mats Wilander to his coaching staff. His idol growing up was Boris Becker. His favorite surfaces are hard and clay.

Carlos Moya (ESP)

Carlos Moya Llompart was born on August 27, 1976 in Spain and is a former World No.1 tennis player. He was the French Open champion in 1998 and a finalist at the 1997 Australian Open. In 2004, he was integral in Spain’s Davis Cup victory.

Born in Palma de Mallorca, the same island that Rafael Nadal hails from, Moya began playing tennis at the age of six, and turned professional in 1995. Moya is naturally left-handed, but plays with his right-hand (unlike fellow compatriot Nadal, who is right-handed, but plays with his left-hand).

Moya is currently the oldest player in the Top 20. In 1999, Moya was selected by People Magazine in U.S. as one of its 50 Most Beautiful People in the World.

In 2005, Moya donated his first prize earnings of $52,000 at the Chennai Open to tsunami relief efforts in Thailand. In 2005, he was named the Arthur Ashe Humanitarian of the year.

Juan Monaco (ARG)

Up-and-coming tennis star Juan Monaco was born on 29 March, 1984 in Tandil, Argentina. Monaco started playing tennis at the age of six, and turned professional in 2002. He is largely known for his clay court prowess, as his best results have come on clay – picking up his maiden title and two more in 2007 on clay. However, in 2007, Juan Monaco demonstrated his skill on hard, making him one of the most improved players of the year.

In 2007, Monaco reached the quarterfinal or better in eight tournaments, and finished the year ranked No.23. On February 4th, 2008, Monaco reached a career-high ranking of #14.

An avid soccer and basketball fan, Monaco’s favorite teams are the teams are Estudiantes de la Plata and the San Antonio Spurs. Grew up idolizing Andre Agassi.

Fernando Gonzalez (CHI)

Born in Santiago Chile, on July 29, 1980, Fernando Francisco González Ciuffardi is currently the top-ranked Chilean tennis player on the ATP tour. Gonzalez began playing tennis at the age of seven. As a junior, Gonzalez enjoyed an impressive career and achieved the World No.1 ranking, winning the US Open boys doubles (with compatriot Nicolas Massu) in 1997 and the French Open singles (defeating Juan Carlos Ferrero in the final) and doubles (with partner Jose de Armas of Venezuela) in 1998. The same year saw Gonzalez debut for Chile in Davis Cup action.

Gonzalez is known for his offensive baseline play. His groudstrokes, especially on the forehand wing are extremely powerful, and he owns victories over many No.1 players, namely including Lleyton Hewitt, Andre Agassi, Roger Federer (all while they held the top spot), Andy Roddick, Juan Carlos Ferrero, Carlos Moyà, Gustavo Kuerten, Marat Safin and Pete Sampras.

In 2007, Fernando Gonzalez enjoyed his best Grand Slam performance, a final appearance at the Australian Open, lost to Roger Federer in straight sets.

Tommy Robredo (ESP)

Tommy Robredo Garcés (born May 1 1982 in Hostalric, Girona) is a professional tennis player from Spain. Growing up, Robredo’s tennis idol was Stefan Edberg of Sweden, along with John McEnroe, Pete Sampras and Andre Agassi. Robredo began playing tennis when he was five years old. He was coached by his father until 1996 when he joined the Spanish Tennis Federation. He turned professional in 1998.

In 2001, Robredo enjoyed a breakthrough season, reaching his first ATP final in Casablanca and winning his first title in Sopot (clay). He also reached the R16 of at two Grand Slams (French Open and US Open). Robredo finished the year in the Top 30. He was the second youngest inside the world’s top thirty, behind Andy Roddick.

Robredo’s best season came in 2006 when he won his first ATP Masters Series title in Hamburg, lifted the Bastad title shortly afterward, reached a career high ranking of No.5 and qualified for the Tennis Masters Cup.

Lleyton Hewitt (AUS)

Lleyton Glynn Hewitt was born 24 February 1981, in Adelaide, Australia. Hewitt is a former World No.1 tennis player and a two-time Grand Slam champion. In 2001, Hewitt became the youngest player (20 years-old) ever to be ranked No.1. In the same year, Hewitt won the US Open and a year later won Wimbledon (2002). Hewitt retained his No.1 ranking until 28 April 2003 when for two weeks he slipped to No.2, before reclaiming the No.1 ranking for another five weeks.

Hewitt burst on the scene in 1998 when as a relative unknown he won the Next Generation Adelaide International, defeating Andre Agassi in the semifinals. In 2000, Hewitt and doubles partner Max Mirnyi won the US Open doubles title. A year later Hewitt lifted his first singles Grand Slam title in Flushing Meadows, defeating four-time champion Pete Sampras in straight sets in the final. In 2005, Hewitt reached his first Australian Open final – a Grand Slam title he covets as it is his home event – but he was defeated by Marat Safin.

In 2005, Tennis Magazine ranked Hewitt 34th on its list of Top 40 greatest tennis players since 1965. In 2006, GQ Magazine nominated Hewitt as one of the “10 Most Hated Athletes” in Sport.

In Davis Cup action, Hewitt was part of the Australian Davis Cup Team that won the Davis Cup twice (1999 and 2003) and finished runner-up twice (2000-01). By the age of 22, Hewitt recorded more singles wins than any other Australian player did during Davis Cup duty.

Hewitt is a competitive tennis player. Primarily known as a defensive baseliner he is also a skilled volleyer, reputed to have one of the best overhead smashes in the game. His signature shot is an offensive topsin lob – described by US Davis Cup captain Patrick McEnroe and Jimmy Connors as the best in the world – Hewitt executes the lob efficiently from both wings.

Juan Carlos Ferrero (ESP)

Juan Carlos Ferrero Donat, born February 12, 1980, is a former World No.1 tennis player from Spain. In 2003, Ferrero won his lone Grand Slam title in Paris – Roland Garros.

Ferrero first came to attention when as a junior he reached the French Open final (lost to Fernando Gonzalez). In 1999, the following year, he made his professional debut and caused a stir when he reached the semifinal of his first tournament in Casablanca (clay).

Ferrero answered the call for Davis Cup duty, and helped Spain win the Davis Cup in 2004 when he defeated Lleyton Hewitt and Patrick Rafter in the final against Australia.

In 2001, Ferrero’s best results came on clay, and when in 2002, he reached his first Roland Garros final, he established himself as one of the game’s best clay court players. He punctuated that opinion by winning the title in 2003.

In 2004, Ferrero was awarded Spain’s 2003 “National Sportsman of the Year” award by King Juan Carlos in Madrid. It is highest sporting accolade by Spanish government.

Five Players To Watch

Stanislas Wawrinka (SUI)

Stanislas Wawrinka, born 28, 1985, in Lausanne, Switzerland is a professional tennis player. In 2008, the Rome Tennis Masters Series received Wawrinka as the runner-up (l. to Novak Djokovic). On the heels of his performance, Wawrinka broke into the top 10. Currently he is one of two Swiss players in the top 10 (the other being Roger Federer).

Wawrinka started competing in international tennis tournaments at the age of 14. His junior career was outstanding, highlighted by winning the 2003 junior French Open. Wawrinka lists clay as his best surface. He has never beaten Rafael Nadal – the King of Clay.

In October 2006, Wawrinka reached a career high No. 29. High hopes to reach the Top 20 in 2007 were thwarted when he suffered a three-month setback, tearing a tendon in his right knee while practicing for the Swiss Davis Cup team’s tie against Spain in February.

Mario Ancic (CRO)

Mario Ancic was born March 30, 1984, in Split, Croatia. The Croatian professional tennis player is nicknamed “baby Goran” after his compatriot, the great professional tennis player Goran Ivanisevic. Ancic owns the only victory over Roger Federer at the all England Club at Wimbledon (on grass), when in his debut at the Grand Slam in 2002, he defeated Federer, seeded ninth at the time.

Anicic with doubles partner Ivan Ljubicic also claimed the only victory over the American Bryan’s duo in Davis Cup action.

Ancic began playing tennis at the age of seven. He went on to becoming one of the top junior tennis players. He turned pro in 2001. In 2006, Ancic finished the year ranked in the top 10 (9th in the World). The following year saw him struggle with mono and a wrist injury; his ranking subsequently fell beyond the top 100. In 2008, Ancic began the year again with illness. Forced to miss almost the first two months of competition, his debut came at the Marseille Open where he reached the final.

Ancic has an all-court game, able to adapt his style to any surface. He is a tough opponent as a result. He is also versatile, able to serve-and-volley on faster surfaces, and rally from the baseline on slower surfaces.

Igor Andreev (RUS)

Russian professional tennis player, Igor Andreev was born in Moscow on July 14, 1983. Andreev began playing tennis at the age of seven. At 14, he moved to Valencia, Spain for better training. To date his best Grand Slam performance is a quarterfinal appearance at the 2007 Roland Garros.

Andreev is a clay court specialist. Many believe he has the best forehand shot in the game. Andreev turned professional in 2002. In 2005, he reached the top 50 for the first time in his career. During the same year, he reached tow ATP finals, Gstaad and Bucharest, and made his Davis Cup debut for Russia.

Andreev is infamous for the victory over Rafael Nadal on clay in April 2005 in Valencia Spain, after which Nadal went on to post a record 81-clay match winning streak – making Andreev one of two players to beat Nadal on clay in over a 100 matches (the other being Roger Federer at the 2007 Tennis Masters Series in Hamburg).

Janko Tipsarevic (SER)

Janko Tipsarevic was born on June 22, 1984 in Belgrade, Serbia. Tipsarevic began playing tennis at the age of six. As a junior, he won the 2001 Australian Open and was a quarterfinalist at Roland Garros. Tipsarevic finished his junior career ranked No.2. The same year, he debuted for the Yugoslavian Davis Cup team. He turned pro in 2002. In 2005, Tipsarevic broke the top 100 for the first time in his career. He reached the second round at the Australian Open and the French Open and the third round of Wimbledon Championships. In 2006, he finished as the No.2 Serbian player, second after Novak Djokovic. His most memorable Grand Slam performance came in 2008, when he stretched Roger Federer to a five-set epic match, losing 7-6(7), 6-7(1), 7-5, 6-1, 8-10. The match became an instant classic, lasting four and a half hours.

Robin Soderling (SWE)

Robin Soderling was born August 14, 1984 in Tibro, Sweden. Soderling began playing tennis at an early age. At 14, he contested his first international junior tournament, losing the opening match. In his first full year as a junior (2000), Soderling won four tournament titles and in 2001, he picked up three more titles, including the Orange Bowl. In the same year, Soderling finished with a year-end ranking of No.4 and played his first ATP level main draw event in Stockholm.

In 2003, Soderling transitioned fully on to the men’s circuit when he reached the third round of Wimbledon. In Stockholm, he reached his first ATP final, losing in a decisive tiebreak) and broke in to the top 100. The following year, Soderling picked up his maiden ATP title in Lyon and finished runner-up in Marseille. He broke into the top 50.

In 2005, Soderling suffered his first serious injury, eventually forced to have knee surgery. Soderling was unable to perform well during his injury-troubled year, producing a mediocre season that saw his ranking decline. In 2006, Soderling bounced back and within three months of the season, he was back in the top 50.

In 2007, Soderling made it to the R32 at Wimbledon where he lost to Rafael Nadal in an epic five-set marathon.