Àlex Corretja
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Olympic medal record | |||
| Men's Tennis | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Bronze | 2000 Sydney | Doubles | |
Àlex Corretja Verdegay (born April 11, 1974, in Barcelona, Spain) is a former professional tennis player from Spain. During his career, he finished runner-up twice at the French Open (in 1998 and 2001). He won the ATP Tour World Championships in 1998 and reached his career-high singles ranking of World No. 2 in 1999. He also played a key role in helping Spain win its first-ever Davis Cup title in 2000.
Corretja first came to the tennis world's attention as a promising junior player who won the Orange Bowl 16s title in 1990. He turned professional in 1991, and won his first top-level singles title in 1994 at Buenos Aires. His first doubles title came in 1995 at Palermo.
In 1996, Corretja faced Pete Sampras in an epic five-set quarter-final at the US Open. Corretja held a match point during the fifth set, but eventually lost to Sampras in 4 hours and 9 minutes 7-6, 5-7, 5-7, 6-4, 7-6.
In 1997, Corretja captured three titles including his first Tennis Masters Series title in Rome. (He won a second Masters Series title in 2000 at Indian Wells.)
1998 saw Corretja reach his first Grand Slam final at the French Open. In the Third Round, he defeated Argentina's Hernán Gumy in (at the time) the longest match in the tournament's history. Corretja won the 5 hour 31 minute marathon 6-1, 5-7, 6-7, 7-5, 9-7. In the final, Corretja lost to his fellow-Spaniard Carlos Moyà in straight sets 6-3, 7-5, 6-3.
Corretja finished 1998 by winning the most significant title of his career – the ATP Tour World Championships (now known as the Tennis Masters Cup). In the semi-finals, he saved three match points on the way to beating Sampras 4-6, 6-3, 7-6. In the final, Corretja faced Moyà in a five-set marathon and came back from two sets down to win in 4 hours and 1 minute 3-6, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3, 7-5. Corretja won a career-high five singles titles in 1998 and finished the year ranked World No. 3. In February 1999, Corretja reached his career-high ranking of World No. 2.
In 2000, Corretja helped Spain win its first-ever Davis Cup title. He went 3-0 in singles rubbers during the earlier rounds, and then teamed up with Joan Manuel Balcells to win the doubles match in the final as Spain beat Australia 3-1. Corretja also won a men's doubles Bronze Medal at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, partnering Albert Costa.
In 2001, Corretja reached the men's singles final at the French Open for the second time. He lost in the final to defending-champion Gustavo Kuerten in four sets 6-7, 7-5, 6-2, 6-0. In July that year, Corretja won a five-set marathon match in final at Amsterdam against Younes El Aynaoui 6-3, 5-7, 7-6, 3-6, 6-4. The 53-game match was the year's longest tour final.
Corretja's biggest win of 2002 came in the quarter-finals of the Davis Cup, where he rallied from two sets down to beat Sampras on grass 4-6, 4-6, 7-6, 7-5, 6-4. (Spain eventually lost the tie 3-1.) At the French Open, Corretja saved four match points in the Third Round against Arnaud Clément before going on to win 6-1, 6-2, 4-6, 5-7, 8-6. Corretja then progressed to the semi-finals, where he lost in four sets to Albert Costa (who went on to win the title). One week later, Corretja was the best man at Costa's wedding.
In 2003, Corretja was again part of a Spanish team which reached the Davis Cup final. He won two doubles and one singles rubber in the earlier rounds. But in the final, Corretja and Feliciano López lost the doubles rubber as Spain were beaten 3-1 by Australia.
Corretja announced his retirement on September 24, 2004. He won a total of 17 top-level singles titles and 3 doubles titles during his career.
Contents |
[edit] Grand Slam singles finals
[edit] Runner-ups (2)
| Year | Championship | Opponent in Final | Score in Final |
| 1998 | French Open |  Carlos Moyá |
6-3, 7-5, 6-3 |
| 2001 | French Open |  Gustavo Kuerten |
6-7, 7-5, 6-2, 6-0 |
[edit] Titles (17)
| Legend (Singles) |
| Grand Slam (0) |
| ATP Masters Series (2) |
| ATP Tour World Championship (1) |
| ATP Tour (14) |
[edit] Singles (17)
[edit] Personal and family life
Corretja married to Marta Cors in 2001. The couple have two daughters – Aroa, born in 2003, and Carla, born in 2005.
