Tennis Betting - Famous Players
Amelie Mauresmo
- At a very early age Mauresmo’s parents enrolled Amélie in the Bornel tennis club. By age 11 the French Tennis Federation (FFT), sees her talent and invites her to join the Tennis/School program in Blois.
- A few years later, at 14, Amélie enrolled at INSEP Vincennes, a national institute for sports and physical education. Here she meets Gail Lovera, ex-French No.1 from Australia who passes on to Amélie her topspin backhand, which Amélie says was revolutionary to her game.
- In 1994, Amélie trained at the national training centre at Roland Garros, when she met Patrick Simon, one of her first coaches and she discovered the international tournament circuit.
1995-1996
During these years Amélie played small professional tournaments with $10 000 prizes. In 1995, the FFT offered her spot in the qualifying round at the French Open. Amélie is only ranked around 175th in the WTA standings, but she still managed to defeat three players in the top 120 in the world and earned her spot in the draw.
By the end of 1996 Amélie had already become World Junior Champion due to her wins at the French Open and Wimbledon.
1997
By 1997, Amélie had a difficult time breaking onto the circuit. Amélie also got a call from her agent that year, who suggested she should try working with a private coach, Warwick Bashford, a South African living in France.
1998
Amélie’s first big success is in Berlin in 1998, when she reached the finals after several dazzling qualifying round matches and defeated players like Dominique van Roost, Jana Novotna (World No.3) and Lindsay Davenport (World No.2). Despite of her loss Amélie is ranked 30th in the world.
That year, Amélie decides to switch coaches and begins to work with Team Demongeot’s Christophe Fournerie.
1999
In 1999 during the Australian Open, Amélie achieved world-class status, and becomes a celebrity in France. But during the semi finals in Australia against the newly crowned No.1 player, Lindsay Davenport, Amélie clenches a historic 7-5 third set win. But in the final, Martina Hingis proves to be a stronger player.
Just a couple of weeks later in Bratislava, Amélie earned her first career title. Then while in the quarter-finals at the French Open, unfortunately, Amélie suffers an ankle injury and has to forfeit Wimbledon. She ends the season in the top 10 and qualifies for her first Masters tournament.
2000
The year 2000 Amélie dominates in Sydney over Pierce and Hingis, and Davenport in the finals in two short sets. After the Open Gaz de France in February, Amélie decides to work with Alexia Dechaume-Balleret who had recently retired.
Next ►
Back to Famous Players Bios
|