Jim Courier
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Jim Courier (b. August 17 1970 in Sanford, Florida) is a former World No. 1 professional tennis player from the United States. During his career he won four Grand Slam singles titles – two at the French Open and two at the Australian Open.
As a junior player in the 1980s, Courier attended the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy, and won the prestigious Orange Bowl in 1986 and 1987, as well as the French Open junior doubles title.
Courier turned professional in 1988 and made his Grand Slam breakthrough in 1991 when he won the French Open singles title, defeating his former Bollettieri Academy-mate Andre Agassi in a memorable five-set final. He also reached the final of the US Open that year, where he lost to Stefan Edberg.
1992 saw Courier win both the Australian Open and French Open titles and enjoy a 25 match winning streak. In February that year he became the tenth player to reach the World No. 1 ranking since the ranking system was implemented in 1973. He would finish 1992 as the World No. 1 ranked player. Courier was also a member of the US team which won the 1992 Davis Cup.
1993 saw Courier claim the Australian Open title again. He reached his third consecutive French Open final, which he lost to Sergi Bruguera, and also reached the 1993 Wimbledon final where he was defeated by Pete Sampras.
Courier would again be part of a US Davis Cup winning team in 1995.
Courier caputured a total 23 singles titles and 6 doubles titles. He spent a total of 58 weeks ranked as the World No. 1 in 1992 and 1993. A consistent player on all surfaces, the right-handed Courier was known for brandishing brutal groundstrokes in defeating his opponents. His powerful and accurate forehand was one of the most feared shot at that time.
Courier retired from the professional tour in 2000. He was inducted in the International Tennis Hall of Fame, Newport, Rhode Island, in 2005.
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Grand Slam finals
Wins (4)
Year Championship Opponent in Final Score in Final 1991 French Open Andre Agassi 3-6, 6-4, 2-6, 6-1, 6-4 1992 Australian Open Stefan Edberg 6-3, 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 1992 French Open Petr Korda 7-5, 6-2, 6-1 1993 Australian Open Stefan Edberg 6-2, 6-1, 2-6, 7-5
Runner-ups (3)
Year Championship Opponent in Final Score in Final 1991 US Open Stefan Edberg 6-2, 6-4, 6-0 1993 French Open Sergi Bruguera 6-4, 2-6, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3 1993 Wimbledon Pete Sampras 7-6, 7-6, 3-6, 6-3
External links
- Official ATP Profile (http://www.atptennis.com/en/players/playerprofiles/default2.asp?playersearch=Jim+Courier)
- International Tennis Hall of Fame Profile (http://www.tennisfame.com/enshrinees/courier.html)
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